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Tips for Advocating Locally

Contact Your Local Elected Official

  • Call your representative and tell them how you feel
  • Find your Representative:
  • Conversations can be had with staff – they keep track of these calls and will update their boss

Keys to Effective Advocacy

  • Focus on how the issue affects your life as a constituent in their district
  • Point out any organizations or leaders in your community who share your position
  • Be clear about what action you are asking the legislator to take
  • Follow-up as the bill moves through the process

Ways to Amplify Your Impact

Engage on Social Media

  • Check with the bill author or supporting organization to see if they have prepared messaging or images
  • Be sure to tag your local elected officials

Grow Your Coalition

  • Mobilize friends and family to take action alongside your efforts
  • Ask local elected officials who agree with you to contact higher ranking representatives

Template Call Script

“Hello. Can I please speak to the staff member responsible for [TOPIC]?”
(If unavailable: “Can you please take a message for them?”)

“Hi, my name is [NAME], and I live in your district.”
(They may ask for your address to verify you are their constituent. Even if they don’t, it helps if you can provide a little information like your city/neighborhood if you feel comfortable.)

“I’m calling to ask [ELECTED OFFICIAL] to [TAKE SPECIFIC ACTION].”

“As a [PARENT/CHILD WELFARE SPECIALIST/VOTER/ETC.], I think this is important because [ONE SENTENCE REASON].”

(Feel free to add more context if you want. And mention any organization or local leader you know that also supports the action, etc.)

“Thank you for listening. I appreciate your time.”

Resources & Links

Ready to contact your local officials? We’re making it easy with these links.