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How to Address a Letter to a Legislator

From regulating every day activities like driving to balancing budgets and determining funding, state and federal legislators are responsible for making laws that govern their constituents. Legislators are public officials elected by the people within their state or specific district. They often pay close attention to correspondence because those same people are active in the community and vote. Just one letter can sometimes persuade a lawmaker to make a particular decision.

Legislator's contact information (name and address, or e-mail address)
Computer
Printer
Printer Paper (if typing) or lined paper (for handwriting)
Pen (for handwriting)
Envelope (for handwriting)
Postage Stamp (for handwriting)

Instructions

- 1
  Start the letter or e-mail with the legislator's name and address. Address the legislator by name and title, such as: Dear Rep. Williamson. End the salutation with a colon, indicating a formal setting.
- 2
  Place the focus of the letter in the first sentence. Include whether you are supporting or opposing a particular piece of legislation or expressing a general concern.
- 3
  Add background information in the following sentences to support the position you expressed in the first sentence. Include statistical information and personal stories.
- 4
  Conclude the letter with a persuasive call to action for the legislator to see a specific point-of-view. Offer assistance if it is a letter in support of what the legislator is already doing.
- 5
  Address the letter correctly and affix the correct amount of postage. Check the email address if you are sneding an e-mail before sending.

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