Contacting Your Legislators
Best Practices
Do's & Don'ts
Do's
checkmark icon Be Respectful and Professional
Always address legislators and staffers formally unless invited to use first names. Demonstrate appreciation for their time and consideration. Be punctual and understanding if they cut your meeting short. Legislators have many responsibilities during the session.
checkmark icon Build Relationships
Foster a rapport with your legislators. Trust and kindness often lead to long-term advocacy success. Find opportunities to visit with your legislators outside of the legislative session — at town halls or community events throughout the year.
checkmark icon Do Your Homework
Understand the legislator's district, priorities, and committee assignments. Tailor your message to show how your issues align with their interests.
checkmark icon Be Clear and Concise
Make your position clear and explain how it impacts you, your business or your community. Use facts, personal anecdotes, or statistics relevant to the issues you're advocating for. Demonstrating how a policy is personal to you, or your business, and to the legislator's district is the most impactful way to convey your message to a legislator. Have a well defined "ask" (for example, asking them to vote for or against a bill).
Don'ts
checkmark icon Don't Assume They Know Your Issue
Avoid using industry jargon and acronyms or assuming a legislator understands specific industry policy.
checkmark icon Don't Be Confrontational
Avoid argumentative tones, even if the legislator opposes your position or you oppose their position.
checkmark icon Don't Criticize Other Lawmakers
Avoid speaking negatively about other legislators or parties, as it can detract from your issues.
checkmark icon Don't Guess
Don't guess answers to questions you don't know the answer to. The response, "I don't know, but I will get back to you," is always acceptable.
checkmark icon Don't Forget to Say Thank You
Never leave a conversation with your legislator without expressing gratitude for their time, consideration and service as a legislator.
Emailing Your Legislators
letter icon Include their legislative intern in the correspondence
Interns change each session — ensure you have the latest contact information.
letter icon Include your city, address or district in the subject line
Legislators prioritize messages from constituents during the session.
letter icon Keep it concise
Aim for 2–4 short paragraphs with one clear ask or position.
letter icon State who you are
Mention your community, business, organization or connection to the issue early in the email.
letter icon Clearly state your request
Examples: "Please support HB 215" or "I encourage you to oppose this amendment."
letter icon Thank them for their time
Participating in a Legislative Committee Meeting (In-Person or Virtual)
mic icon Arrive early
Committee schedules can shift quickly, and public testimony may begin earlier than expected.
mic icon Introduce yourself clearly
Start with your name, organization or business, and where you are from.
mic icon Know your bill number and position
Clearly state whether you support, oppose, or have concerns about the bill.
mic icon Keep your message concise and focused
Committee members hear testimony from many individuals. Stick to your main points and avoid covering too many topics at once.
mic icon Keep remarks brief
Public testimony is often limited to just a few minutes. Aim for a clear, organized statement that can be delivered efficiently.
mic icon Share real-world impact
Legislators respond well to local examples, constituent stories, workforce impacts, and business experiences.
mic icon Avoid overly technical language
Keep comments straightforward and easy to understand.
mic icon Prepare for questions
Committee members may ask follow-up questions after your testimony.
mic icon Follow up after the hearing
Thank legislators for their time and provide any additional information requested.
Awareness Activities
lightbulb icon One
Invite your elected officials for a tour of your facility and educate them about what you do and how your community, their constituency, benefits from what you do.
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Request your elected officials to speak at an opening, dedication, community celebration, etc. Don't forget the press releases. Take photos and display them.
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Invite elected officials to opening night gatherings, and any pre- or post-publicity events of shows, previews, openings, exhibits or displays.
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Ask an elected official to speak about the legislative process at a meeting of your board of directors or membership, or staff.
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Meet with your elected official in her/his district office to talk about tourism and the economic benefits.