A best practice for contacting your legislator

Last week I wrote about the challenge lawmakers face as they sort through their thousands of emails and attempt to find correspondence from their constituents. It’s a task made all the more daunting by the recent practice employed by advocacy groups: emailing all legislators instead of just those who represent them.

That article contained my thoughts on how to make your email stand out. I hope it was helpful. It’s still available online at hd31.org/795.

I didn’t include the foremost tip for ensuring your voice is heard: build a relationship with your lawmakers prior to sharing your point of view on specific legislation.

This has become a much simpler task than in year’s past because of email and social media. It’s now possible to create this relationship from the comfort of your own home.

Here’s one example of how local constituency has reached out to me and why they have a powerful voice every week: a few years ago I created an email list and each Monday I use it to send this article. The list has now grown to hundreds of area constituents who want to stay informed. As each email hits their inbox, it would be an easy temptation for local readers to conclude, “that’s just another email from Murphey,” hit the delete key and give it no further thought; instead, each week, every one of these emails is met with a series of responses from the readers.

Their feedback encourages me; provides helpful suggestions for the modernization, efficiency and transparency policies in which I have specialized; allows me to help them with their challenges with government; and, in the cases where the reader disagrees with my take on an issue, shows me the issue from their perspective.

While it’s my intent to catch all constituent input, you can only imagine the power of advocacy email from one of these readers who replies to my email and then conveys their view on an ongoing legislative proposal.

This reply catches my attention because I know this is an engaged person who has taken the time to stay informed. Had he simply emailed — without first building a relationship — I would have no idea if he was an engaged citizen or simply interested in this single issue — never to be heard from again.

When I see the incoming reply to my email, I know it is someone who is likely to follow through on this issue and others in the future. Because it is a reply, I also know with 100% certainty that this isn’t one of the mass emails from outside of the district.

My advice: even though you may not have a point-of-view on a current bill, take a moment to reach out to your lawmakers. Not all state officials have an email list, but many have social media and it’s easier than ever to make a meaningful contact.

Thank you for reading this article. Your interest and input are much appreciated. Please do not hesitate to email Jason.Murphey@hd31.org with your thoughts and suggestions.

Sincerely,