Guide to Citizen Lobbying

Legislators want to hear from their constituents about the issues that matter most to them. Personally contacting your legislator is one of the best ways to make your voice heard and get involved in the political process. Below are some tips to make your communication more effective:

Write to your elected official:

• Address the letter properly
• Personalize your letter
• Be clear about the topic of your letter
• Be concise
• Include your full name, address and phone number

Meet with your elected official:

• Schedule a meeting in advance
• If you can’t come to Sacramento, meet with your legislator when they are in the district office (usually on Fridays)
• Let your legislator know if you are representing a group
• If you meet with a staff member provide the same information as you would to your legislator
• Be prepared to discuss the particular issue or piece of legislation in detail
• Follow up with a phone call or thank you note

Testifying in Committee:

• Coordinate your testimony with other supporters/opponents to ensure that statements are not redundant and cover different points
• Clearly identify yourself and who you are representing
• Be concise and make sure your testimony is to the point
• Thank the chair of the committee and the committee members for the opportunity to express your views

Keep up to date:

The official site for California legislative information is www.leginfo.ca.gov. You can track legislation, find out about events at the Capitol, access legislative publications and find links to the Senate and Assembly homepages.