Legislative Advocacy Basics
Connecting with state representatives can feel daunting. Do not fret, connecting with your elected representatives is an easy and painless process!
Advocating with Legislators
How to talk to your legislator
To email your legislator click on their name on the find your legislator page and navigate to their webpage. There you can access their contact information.
Another excellent way to contact your legislator is to get in touch with their Legislative Assistant. You may find their contact information here.
How to meet with your legislator
The best way to set up a meeting with a legislator is to get in touch with their Legislative Assistant.
The WSPTA has an excellent 1 pager with a sample email.
When requesting a meeting, be concise, polite, and formal. List the specific reason or piece of legislation you are wanting to discuss.
Meetings may be set up in person or virtually.
If you need to request accommodations, get in touch with an accessibility coordinator.
Prepping for a meeting with legislators:
Make sure to take time to prepare before your meeting.
Try to create a quick, 3-5 minute, pitch on why you are meeting.
Personal stories give your legislator the opportunity to understand the real world impacts of proposed legislation.
If you have other people’s stories, data, or small visuals, make sure to bring them with you and leave copies with your legislator or their staff.
Other ways to engage legislators:
Comment on a bill. Enter your bill number here then select “send a comment on this bill to your legislators”
You may also call and leave a message on any bill 800-562-6000