You’ve read about an issue, thought about it, and now you’ve gotten up a full head of steam over it. You want action and you want it now.
Good for you! Now do it effectively.
The fact is your elected official most likely will not read your letter or email. Don’t get upset – that’s a good thing. You’ve sent him/her to do a job and you’re paying good money for it. Sitting around all day reading hundreds of notes from constituents would let her know what you want but wouldn’t leave much time to accomplish it.
In most government offices, it works like this: The official asks a clerk to let her know how the mail is going. What do her constituents want? The clerk prepares a summary, telling her how many people want A, how many want B, and providing a few good samples of each.
Here’s how to make sure your opinion is counted:
1. Email or snail mail?
The answer is — both. Email has an immediacy that’s important if the issue is hot. But, surprisingly, some folks in government haven’t made enthusiastically embraced the information superhighway. So send an email and print a copy to send by snail mail. Be sure to label the snail mail copy “COPY OF EMAIL”
2. Get the most important information where it can’t be missed.
You’ll need the bill number – if there is one – or a 2-3 word summary of the issue. You can do a search for pending legislation at the Thomas Legislative System.
Distill your request to a few words:
“YES on SR1234″
“NO on HR6879″
“YES TO IMPEACHMENT”
“NO TO LIMITING GAY RIGHTS”
“NO TO REQUIRING DOGS TO WEAR CERAMIC HATS”
If you’re sending an email, that’s your subject line. A harried, overworked clerk scrolling through the inbox to get constituent input can see what you want and add you to the right total easily. If you’re sending a letter by postal service, put your summary phrase in the lower left corner of the front of the envelope.
3. The first paragraph – it might be all he reads, so make it count
Okay, so you have this incredibly compelling story of how the administration’s economic policies ruined your Granny’s life and gave her the hives. It starts out something like, “Granny was always an active, lively woman. She loved to garden and walk the dog and throw things at the TV whenever Six-Gun Cheney appeared. Well, one day she was out walking the dog, thinking about how that Cheney idiot really fogs her glasses when all of a sudden out of nowhere – and, really, I mean nowhere………”
Save it.
If you feel it’s a sure-fire winner and will really put this thing over the top, you can add it later. But not yet.
Your first paragraph should expand a bit on your subject and give any additional information that can give the official a reason to keep reading. If you’re one of his constituents, say so. You have the power to vote to reelect him or not, after all.:
“I am a registered voter in the State of Illinois and a disabled veteran of the Viet Nam conflict. Please vote YES to expanding veterans’ benefits”
“I am a registered voter in your district. It is very important to me that you vote NO on the Patriot Act.”
“I am one of your constituents and led a volunteer group during your campaign. I feel that making dogs wear ceramic hats endangers their health because owners won’t want to be seen walking them.”
4. Let them know you mean it
She’s still reading – that’s good. Give it some feeling!
“We either support censure or support criminal activity.”
“This war is not defeating terrorists – it’s recruiting them.”
“America has a history of expanding rights, not expanding the codification of bigotry. It would be a travesty to go backwards.”
“Dogs look stupid in ceramic hats and get overheated in the summer.”
5. If it’s personal, make it personal
If the issue has had an impact on you or someone you love, this is where you tell the story. Tell them how you’ve been out of work for two years and don’t know how you’ll pay the bills and feed your kids. Tell them about Granny’s retirement fund disappearing. Tell them about the heartache when your neighbor’s son was killed in Iraq. Make it sincere and make it just long enough to tell the story.
6. The Big Finish
Woohoo! Almost done! Write a brief paragraph summarizing your position .
“We need you to stand for us, for yourself, and for the future of this great nation. Please vote for freedom. Vote for what’s right. Vote as if our lives depended on – because they do. Vote to bring the troops home.”
Be sure to include your full name as it appears on your voter’s registration card, your full legal address, and a telephone number where you can be reached.
7. Send that baby out!
Should anyone else be getting a copy? Think about copying your letter to your other elected officials and to the press. Be sure to indicate copies on the original -
8. Congratulations!
Feel good? Well, you should. Now, about that other issue…………
Send your comments, questions, love notes, hate mail, hot tips, stories about your dog, scandalous gossip and rude jokes to 
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