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General Election: November 2nd

Registration Ends: October 4th

Tips for Contacting Your Legislators

The letter is the most popular choice of communication with a legislator. Never send large brown envelopes, bulk mailing or unessential documents, as they may seriously delayed due to security procedures. Hand-address envelopes to personalize them! Faxes and emails are the best way to communicate with your officials, because they are fast and provide a written record of the correspondence. If you email your legislator, follow up by sending a hard copy through the Post Office afterward. Avoid email attachments, as such messages may be blocked or the attachments stripped off by server firewalls. Copy and paste pertinent information directly into the message.

Email is great, but make sure you adhere to these basic Email etiquette tips:

• Be concise and to the point, avoid long sentences
• Answer all questions, and pre-empt further questions
• Use proper spelling, grammar & punctuation
• Make it personal
• Use templates for frequently used responses
• Do not attach unnecessary files
• Do not overuse the high priority option
• Do not write in CAPITALS (it looks like you’re YELLING)
• Do not overuse Reply to All
• Use a meaningful subject line
• Use active instead of passive language
• Keep your language gender neutral
• Don't reply to spam

It’s also very effective to pick up the phone! If you do call, immediately give your name and ask for the staffer who handles the particular issue that prompted your call (e.g., taxation, voting, etc.). Remember: it is staffers who research and write legislation, so don't underestimate them! Even legislators who are not on a tax committee, for example, will have someone who is familiar with tax issues. Be prepared to get a voicemail box. Leave a brief message, such as: "Please tell Senator/Representative (Name) that I support/oppose (S.___/H.R.___)." You will also want to concisely state reasons for your support or opposition, and ask for your Senator's or Representative's position. Finish by clearly re-stating your name and providing contact information. An email address is best because it's faster than regular mail but still provides a written response, which is much easier to refer back to than a phone call! If you decide to write a letter, remember:

• DO state at the beginning of your letter/email that you are a Florida voter, and DO give your voting address at the end of your letter.
• If your letter pertains to a specific piece of legislation, DO identify it accordingly (e.g., House bill: H. R. ____, Senate bill: S.___).
• DO state the purpose of your letter in the first paragraph.
• DO address only one issue in each letter.
• If possible, DO keep your letter to one page.
• DON'T write only to ask for something.
• DO remember to thank your legislator for his/her support.
• DO remember to never be negative!
• If you borrow from a "standard" letter, DO personalize it in some way, showing how the issue directly affects you.

Finally, check out the Florida Senate's tips on effectively communicating with your legislators.