Tips on Contacting a Government Official

Tips on Contacting a Government Official

Always Include Your Name and Address
On all correspondences, it is important to include your name and full postal address, even on emailed letters. On several of the Representatives web sites, they say that they will not respond if your address is not given. Also, it's not a bad idea to give your phone number, on the off-hand chance someone would like to call you back.

Clearly State Your Position
Be sure to come right out and state if you are either for or against the given issue. Preferably sooner in your letter, fax, email or voice mail, rather than later.

Ask Questions
By asking a question, you are expecting an answer, which means that your well thought-out letter won't merely be read by a intern and then quickly and efficiently filed away. Instead, someone, either the official himself or a qualified person on his staff, must read your letter, think about his answer and then respond to you.

Also, this leaves the door open for a second or third letter, explaining that having some questions on an issue, you wrote to the official and did not receive his answer and you were wondering why he has not responded.

Sample questions, include:

What is your position on Bill XYZ?
What measures are you taking to stopping Bill XYZ?
Could you please define the term "Exotic" as it pertains to Bill XYZ?

Write Your Own Letter
Individual letters are preferable over a generic letter that you merely signed and dated. A government official will take your request much more seriously if he or she sees all the time, effort and heart that you put into your own personal letter. This isn't to say that signed and dated generic letters aren't helpful, they very much are, but if you have the time to write out a uniqe letter, it is well worth the added effort.