How Do You Get Elected Officials To Listen?
• Figure out what you want: Elected officials and their staff expect you to ask for something specific. Be sure to ask them for something they can actually do, such as sponsor legislation or meet with you in the community. • Explain why you’re relevant: You are relevant to elected officials because you live, work or serve people in the areas they represent. You must demonstrate a constituent connection. • Understand your audience: If possible, try to learn something about an elected official’s position on your issues (if any) before you contact them. They may already be strongly supportive! • Frame your message: It also helps to know something about the issues the elected official feels strongly about, even if they aren’t the same as your own. Sometimes you can frame your message in terms that make sense for them. For example, if you want to talk about increased funding for public transportation with an elected official who is very interested in health care issues, you should consider
