# What is the most effective way to contact a legislator? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 16, 2010, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-effective-way-to-contact-a-legislator/543466 "2010-06-16T20:52:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2010, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-effective-way-to-contact-a-legislator/543466/21 "2010-06-17T22:43:55Z")
Well, you could always try [this](http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2010/06/026529.php). 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-effective-way-to-contact-a-legislator/543466/22 "2010-06-18T05:17:52Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Email is meaningless. The staffers just pile all the emails together into a summary statement, and you are just one of a thousand. They do the same thing with postal mail (it just takes longer to get to their office.) And the advice about handwritten vs. typed or printed doesn’t apply much anymore, since it’s a staffer rather than the legislator who sees the letter. Actually, they probably prefer typed or printed, because it’s easier to read. Handwritten does indicate either older (thus more likely to vote) or poorer (less likely to vote), so that can go either way. ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-effective-way-to-contact-a-legislator/543466/23 "2010-06-18T07:47:23Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Props to Sen. Diane Feinstein(D-CA) in that regard. Her staff is always polite, efficient and on the ball. Eh, maybe not so much “on the ball”. I emailed her in 2008 saying I wanted to know what the Bush administration had said to Georgia to make them think the US would back them up if they started a conflict with Russia over South Ossetia. The reply I received began “I share your concern over Russia’s aggression in South Ossetia…” :rolleyes: And perhaps unsurprisingly I have received no reply whatsoever from her to my email calling for the US to take firm action against Israel after its attack on the flotilla. Or from Boxer either for that matter. Incidentally, from my own experience working for elected representatives, either email or snail mail is equally likely to get you a response. Phone calls not so much, unless you leave an address where we can write to you. This is more to do with time management than anything else - once people have you on the phone, they tend to do their best to try to keep you there. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-effective-way-to-contact-a-legislator/543466/24 "2010-06-18T16:13:57Z")
I had two brief Capitol Hill internships in the late 1980s. Generally speaking, one-page, concise, typed or word-processed letters seemed to get the most attention. Handwritten letters weren’t given any more credence, in part because they were often harder to read. Mass-produced interest-group postcards which the constituent had simply signed and dropped back in the mail to the Congressman were rubber-banded and recycled; not sure if they were even counted. I’ve called my Member of Congress or U.S. Senators when I knew a vote was coming up very soon, and just wanted to say, “Please tell [name] I hope he will vote in favor of H.R. [whatever], which I strongly support,” and the office staff seemed to appreciate my brevity. For all I know, they’re keeping a tally of calls pro and con that day. My current Congresswoman and U.S. senators will usually send back form letters in response to ones I send, but maddeningly, they either (1) repeat basic points I already made in my own letter, (2) don’t acknowledge the particular course of action I favor, and/or (3) don’t say what they intend to do. Grrrr. Bottom line: One letter from you is very, very unlikely to get a Federal legislator to change his or her mind on an issue. It’s usually important only in the aggregate along with many other letters from many other people… just like a vote. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-effective-way-to-contact-a-legislator/543466/25 "2010-06-18T16:31:20Z")
Given Congressman Bob Etheridge’s response. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwtaZf9_kFY) I most definitely wouldn’t approach a politician, with my request, on the sidewalk. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-effective-way-to-contact-a-legislator/543466/26 "2010-06-18T16:40:03Z")
One U.S. senator from Ohio in the Seventies legendarily sent back a constituent’s letter, scrawling across the bottom, “Some idiot sent me this letter and signed your name to it!” ---
**Author:** ![Francis\_Vaughan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/francis_vaughan/32/3093_2.png) [@Francis\_Vaughan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francis_Vaughan)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-effective-way-to-contact-a-legislator/543466/27 "2010-06-18T17:12:57Z")
When the need arises to talk in person to a local politician, I find that a pentagram, some candles, a chicken, and a few arcane words does the trick quite nicely. One has a little chat and then sends them on their way. For some reason it works especially well on the right wing conservatives. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-effective-way-to-contact-a-legislator/543466/28 "2010-06-18T17:20:27Z")
I have to admit most congressmen will help with problems. I knew a guy that became disabled and Social Security only offered a small amount. He wrote to his congressmen and they looked into it. He eventually got more from social security. Not a lot, but at least he could eat. I’ve also heard veterans say their congressmen helped over disputes with the VA. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-effective-way-to-contact-a-legislator/543466/29 "2010-06-18T17:40:41Z")
I called my Rep’s office (Debbie Halvorson IL-14) before the final health care bill to urge her to support it (she was on the lists as undecided). Talked to a staffer and later received a form letter follow-up in the mail. Since then though I’ve gotten three or four invitations to participate in telephone “town hall” meetings with her. Only was able to do so once and then I had to hang up early but I thought it was pretty neat and at least she’s not hiding from me. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-effective-way-to-contact-a-legislator/543466/30 "2010-06-18T17:58:47Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > I called my Rep’s office (Debbie Halvorson IL-14) before the final health care bill to urge her to support it (she was on the lists as undecided). Talked to a staffer and later received a form letter follow-up in the mail. Since then though I’ve gotten three or four invitations to participate in telephone “town hall” meetings with her. Only was able to do so once and then I had to hang up early but I thought it was pretty neat and at least she’s not hiding from me. Very nice. Did she vote your way on HCR? ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-effective-way-to-contact-a-legislator/543466/31 "2010-06-18T18:23:51Z")
Yes. Although obviously I don’t know how “on the fence” she was prior. She was in the last batches to actually sign on though and represents a slightly/somewhat red swing district. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-effective-way-to-contact-a-legislator/543466/32 "2010-06-18T18:59:51Z")
Senator Lugar from Indiana requires a response to all written communications by his staffers within 24 hours. (Someone got fired a few years ago for not doing so.) I don’t know how many reach his desk personally, but it is really nice to get confirmation of your letter, have it addressed properly for whatever issue you raised, and signed (probably by autopen, but you never know - I’m sure he signs a few every day). I don’t agree with him politically on a lot of things, but he’s one of the good ones. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2010, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-effective-way-to-contact-a-legislator/543466/33 "2010-06-18T21:32:24Z")
The best way to contact a politician? Knowing somebody who knows somebody who can contact them personally. That often works; all other methods are useless. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2010, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-effective-way-to-contact-a-legislator/543466/34 "2010-06-19T00:35:54Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Given Congressman Bob Etheridge’s response. > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwtaZf9\_kFY](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwtaZf9_kFY) > > I most definitely wouldn’t approach a politician, with my request, on the sidewalk. You do realize that the video of this that you saw was a faked-up, edited version of what actually happened, created by his political enemies? I wouldn’t put much credence in it. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2010, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-effective-way-to-contact-a-legislator/543466/35 "2010-06-19T12:58:32Z")
Serious people send paper. ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2010, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-effective-way-to-contact-a-legislator/543466/36 "2010-06-22T15:35:58Z")
Summing up (this is consonant with my experience: Letters are best. Be succinct. But they take a long time, especially given post-anthrax security measures; on hot issues they will often be too late. Phone calls are useful. I call my legislators from time to time and generally feel that appropriate attention is paid to my comments. Maybe they’re just buffing me up, but that’s OK too. Junior legislators have smaller staffs, though, so when things are hoppin’ they might not have time to do more than tick the pro or con box and take the next call. Emails are probably worthless, or close to it, especially since legislative offices are spammed constantly by astroturf campaigns that gin up a bunch of uninformed citizens to click a website and send a form email. –Cliffy [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-effective-way-to-contact-a-legislator/543466.md?page=1)