West Virginia Legislative Process
Classes:
Introduction > Legislative Process > Policy Making > Committee System > Bill Becomes Law > Take the Test > Resources
Citizen's Guide > Contacting Your Legislator > Drafting The Bill > Develop And Know Your Issue
Contacting Your Legislator
Contact your legislator by writing letters, telephone calls, and making personal visits. Personal visits are the most effective form of political action.
When you make a personal visit to you legislator you can:
- provide an opportunity to exchange information
- provide an opportunity to make clarification of difficult points
Preparing for a personal visit:
- make an appointment and state the purpose of the meeting
- be on time and know when to leave
- keep the discussion short and to the point
- discuss the bill by its number, topic and title
- listen as well as speak
- be friendly, sincere and respectful
- remember that first impressions are important.
A formal meeting with your legislator is not always possible so be prepared to discuss your issue in the halls, and outside a committee room between meetings. You should be very brief and to the point. Also personal stories and examples of how a bill will affect a legislator's district are especially useful.
www.mtstcil.org