According to the Senator, there are a few things you can do that will make your phone call or letter most effective.

If you choose to call on the phone, state your name and let your legislator know where you live, especially if you live in their district.  If you have to leave a message, always let them know why you are calling.  Elected officials receive hundreds of calls each day, so if they have an idea of what you need, it will help them help you in a more timely manner.  Simple enough.

The same applies to an email.  Include your name and address and the reason you are contacting them.  Personalized emails receive much more attention than form emails.  If you are a part of a massive group effort to influence the legislature, take the form email and craft a more personalized version.  The same applies to form letters, just remember to include your name and address.   Old fashioned, hand written or typed letters on some sort of stationary or note cards work best.   It is that personal touch that we so often take for granted that could make the difference,  At the very least, the legislator is assured this comes from a real person and was not mass produced.  They are smart down there I tell ya.

Here are the Senator’s children checking out his desk. It is full of correspondence and phone messages, and copies of proposed legislation, enough to make your head spend. And in this particualar photo the Legislature was not even in session. We’ll do a before and after comparison soon. It’s not pretty people.

The Senator did add that they have a lot to read each day, so it is best to be brief and to the point.   And don’t worry if you do not receive an immediate reply.   They only have one assistant and typically receive hundred of calls and letters each day – but your voice is being heard and eventually you will hear back, (at least in his office and most certainly if you are his constituent). Often, if there is a delay in response time, it is because no action has been taken with that particular issue.  But, just imagine if you received hundreds of letters and calls each day how long it would take you to respond back to each one…. and contrary to popular belief, they really only have one very over worked and under paid assistant. Promise.

Love, the Senator’s wife