Your governmental representatives look forward to "opinions from the grassroots." They want to keep in close touch with their voters, and letters are the best indication of what those voters are thinking. Don't hesitate to write for fear of imposing on them. If you have something to say that you think should be called to their attention, do so. The mail gets top priority with most elected officials because every letter represents a potential vote. Most representatives, in the interest of retaining their seats, want to keep the voters happy.
Do's and Don't's:
- Do address your representative properly.
- Do write legibly. Handwritten letters are fine if they are readable.
- Do be brief and to the point; discuss only one issue; identify a bill by number or title if possible.
- Do use your own words and your own stationery.
- Do be sure to include your address and sign your name legibly. If your name could be either masculine or feminine, identify your sex. If you have family, business, or political connections related to the issue, explain.
- Do be courteous and reasonable.
- Do write when your representative does something of which you approve.
- Do include pertinent editorials from local papers.
- Do write early in the session before a bill has been introduced if you have ideas you would like to see incorporated in legislation. If you are lobbying for or against a bill, and your representative is a member of the committee to which it has been referred, write when the committee begins hearings. If your representative is not a member of the committee handling the bill, write just before the bill comes to the floor.
- Do write the chairman or committee members holding hearings on legislation in which you are interested. Remember, you have more influence with the senator or representative from your district than with other legislators.
- Don't sign and send either a form letter or one that has been photo copied.
- Don't begin on the righteous note of "as a citizen and taxpayer." Your representative assumes you are a citizen and knows we all pay taxes.
- Don't apologize for writing and taking up your representative's time. If you letter is short and expresses your opinion, he or she is glad to give you a hearing.
- Don't be rude or threatening. It won't get you anywhere.
- Don't be vague. Some letters received are couched in such general terms that it leaves the representative wondering what the writer had in mind.
- Don't ignore your representative and write to one from another district just because you disagree politically with yours.
- Don't send a carbon copy to your senator when you have addressed the letter to your representative. Write to each one individually; it's the courteous thing to do.
| PRESIDENT The President The White House Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President: Very respectfully yours, |
VICE PRESIDENT The Vice President The White House Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. Vice President Sincerely yours, |
| U.S. SENATOR The Honorable (Name) United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator (Name): Sincerely yours, |
U.S. CONGRESSPERSON The Honorable (Name) U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 Dear Representative (Name): Sincerely yours, |
| GOVERNOR The Governor 77 South High Street Columbus, OH 43215 Dear Governor (Name): Sincerely yours, |
| OHIO SENATOR The Honorable (Name) Ohio Senate State House Columbus, OH 43266-0604 Dear Senator (Name): Sincerely yours, |
OHIO REPRESENTATIVE The Honorable (Name) Ohio House of Representatives 77 South High Street columbus, OH 43266-0603 Dear Representative (Name): Sincerely yours, |