Five Basic Tips for Meeting with legislators

1. You have every right to meet with a state legislator

• Elected officials represent everyone in their district, registered or not, citizen or not.
• The issues they vote on affect all of us, not just voters or citizens.
• The budgets and bills they vote on are funded through all our tax dollars, not just the taxes of voters or citizens.

2. Personal stories are the best

• We all have personal stories to tell which put a human face on an issue - this could be our own story of why we need benefits, or the stories of friends and family members.
• Legislators are also most likely to remember the stories of real people than lots of technical data. BUT - try to make your story clear and not too long so your main point won't be lost.

3. Tell the legislator exactly why you are meeting with her or him

• During the meeting, tell the legislator exactly what it is that you want her or him to do for you.
• BUT - don't expect to get an answer right away. You may be the first real person they have spoken with about the issue you have raised. Tell them that you will call back in a few days to get their answer.

4. You don't need to have all the answers to meet with a legislator

• Don't be intimidated if you can't answer all of your legislator's questions on the spot. They don't expect you to have all the answers.
• Write down any questions you can't answer and say you will get back to them with answers soon. Then, contact friends or others who can help you answer these questions.

5. Send a thank you note after the meeting. Legislators remember this.