We should all take a moment to be pleased and proud that so many candidates stepped up to run for office, election officials conducted free and fair elections, and Americans turned out in huge numbers to exercise their right to vote in the midterm elections. Voting is the most basic way to make our voices heard at all levels of government – local, county, state and nationally. Elections also mark the beginning of new opportunities to connect and communicate with our elected and government officials to help them do the best job possible for their constituents, their communities, and our country.

Photo from REUTERS by Jonathan Drake

Your elected officials want to hear from you any time and all the time!!

• They want to know that you care about the decisions, policies, and votes they take on your behalf.
• They want to hear from you whether or not your values and opinions are aligned with theirs.
• They want to hear your complaints as well as your appreciation and praise.
• Lawmakers and other elected officials use your comments to:
• • Educate themselves about issues their constituents care about.
  • Get feedback from constituents on which legislative proposals and policies are needed.
  • Learn their constituents’ opinions and perspectives to inform their votes.
  • Help citizens navigate government bureaucracies and obtain needed services.

CLASSACTIONS:

Photo credit: David Levin

• CLASSACTION 1. Learn who your elected officials are and how to reach them:
• • Every voice counts.
  • Elected officials are happy to hear from you, however you communicate with them: by phone, text, email, social media or mail.
  • Use the USA.gov Elected Officials directory to find federal, state, and county representatives based on your address.
  • You can contact a Congressperson through his or her official website. Find your Representative via House.gov and your Senators at Senate.gov.
  • Here’s a link to the phone numbers of Congressional Representatives.
  • Here’s a link to the phone numbers of U.S. Senators.

• CLASSACTION 2. Learn what issues your elected officials are or will be working on:
• • Follow Congressional Action: for active bills and floor votes, search the Congress.gov Legislative Database using keywords like “health care access”, “rural”, etc. 
  • Many lawmakers and elected officials have e-mailing lists and newsletters.  Contact their offices to sign up for them.

• CLASSACTION 3. Here are some tips to make your communications as effective as possible:
• • Be concise and specific.
  • Focus on how the issue (for example, health insurance costs) affects your life and community. Share a personal story.
  • Clearly state the actions or proposed legislation you want them to support.

• CLASSACTION 4. Consider sending a general post-election letter to your current elected representatives (sample linked here and below):
• • Thank them for their part in ensuring free and fair elections and encouraging on-going communication with constituents and among members of Congress.