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| How to Write Your Representative |
The "Grassroots" :: Writing Your Representative
Politicians can quite literally get away with murder using the excuse, "Well, we put it to the people, and they decided..." This often means that the citizens concerned with the issue did not voice their opinions loudly enough.
Our representatives often weigh their constituency's opinions before they cast a vote or propose legislation. The most effective way to express your opinion to your representatives is to send them a letter.
Below I have outlined some reasons to send letters, tips for writing letters, and a suggested format to use when writing a letter to your representative (Delegate or Senator). I hope you find this resource useful and more importantly I hope you use it.
Reasons to Write Your Reps
- To ask them to support or not to support a specific piece of legislation that has been introduced, is in committee, or is up for vote.
- To thank them for supporting or not supporting a specific piece of legislation.
- To find out why they did not support or why they supported a specific piece of legislation.
- To ask them where they stand or how they feel about any issue, even if there is no pending legislation.
Letter Writing Tips
- Make sure you are writing the right person at the correct address. Use the Who's My Legislator? service at the Virginia General Assembly web site to find out who your representatives are and their correct mailing addresses.
- Keep your letter professional and brief. Try to keep any correspondence to your representative to one page. Only address one issue per letter.
- Type your letter. If you do not have access to a typewriter or computer and you have to hand write your letter make sure the handwriting is neat and legible.
- Be informed, know what you are talking (writing) about before you write your letter. If you qoute statistics or "facts" make sure you can back them up. Include sources of any statistic that you qoute.
- Let your representative know that he/she can contact you if there are any questions regarding your correspondence.
- If your letter requires a response ask for one.
- Check and recheck you letter. Check your letter for grammar and spelling errors. Have someone else read your letter to check it over for errors and to make sure you have effectively made your point.
Formating Your Letter
Letters to your Representatives ideally should resemble business correspondence. Below you will find the basic layout of a business letter.
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Your Name
Your Street Address
Your City, State Zip Code
Your Phone Number
The Honorable Your Rep's Name or Senator Your Senator's Name
Reps Office Address
City, State Zip Code
Dear Senator Senator's Surname or
Dear Mr(or Ms) Rep's Surname,
Your message text or body.
Explain your concern in the very first sentence of your message body. If you are writing about a specific bill make sure you refer to it by it's name or number (ie, HB2508 or SB216). Be sure to address only one concern in a given letter.
Once you have explained the reason for your letter, argue your point, but be brief. Offer examples that support your assertions. If you quote statistics make sure you include the source.
If your letter requires a response ask for one. Make sure you state that you can be contacted if any other information is required or to discuss the issue in more detail.
Closing Your Letter
Thank you or Thank you for your time,
Sign Your Name Here
Your Name Typed (printed) Here
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Hersey Cartwright
Communications Officer
VFR-RACE :: http://www.vfr-race.com/
The VABiker.NET:: http://www.vabiker.net/
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