Write or Email Your Policymaker

Getting Ready

• Find out who your policymaker is. Click here for your State Legislators. Click here for Legislators’ contact information. Click here for your BESE Members. Click here for a list of other policymakers.
• Check contact information. Go to the policymaker’s website or call their office to make sure you have the right mailing or email address, title, and spelling.

Steps for Writing a Letter

• Begin writing your letter. There is a sample below.
• Start with your personal contact information. Include your name, address, phone number, and email on the top of your letter. Envelopes often get separated from letters after they are opened. So, legislators cannot always get your return address from the envelope.
• Date your letter.
• Use the right contact information. Use a legislator’s address at the legislature when in session. Use their district office address when the legislature is not in session.
• Use the policymaker’s title before their name. For example, “Governor Edwards” or “Representative Henry” or “Senator LaFleur.”
• Introduce yourself. Explain who you are. If you are a constituent, say so. If you voted for the policymaker, say that. Include information about yourself, your child, and family that will help the policymaker understand your needs.
• Describe your issue or concern. Explain how this issue or policy has or will affect you, your family, your local community, and others.
• Tell the policymaker what they can do to help. Be clear and specific. LaCAN action alerts will usually spell this out for you. Alerts usually provide a sentence you can include in this part of your letter. Also thank your policymaker for any past support.
• Ask for a response. Let the policymaker know that you would like to hear their thoughts on the issue.
• Close with a thank you. Be sure to thank them for considering your concerns.
• Add a personal touch. Policymakers appreciate handwritten letters. If you can, write your letter instead of typing it. If you can, send a photograph of your child or your family.
• Check your work. If possible, have someone read it before you send it. Make changes if needed.

Sample Letter

Your Full Name
Your Address
Your Phone Number
Your Email

Date 

The Honorable _____
Office (e.g., Governor of Louisiana, House of Representatives, Senate)
Mailing Address
City, State, ZIP 

Dear Governor/Senator/Representative _____ :

(First Paragraph – Introduce yourself): “My name is Annie Advocate. I am one of your constituents and a strong supporter. I am writing to you as the parent of Jennifer, who is five years old and has severe developmental disabilities.”

(Second Paragraph – Describe your issue or concern): “My family would benefit from Individual and Family Support services that would help us keep Jennifer at home. Jennifer has extensive needs and requires around-the-clock care. We are in desperate need of respite care that can be provided through the Individual and Family Support program. Unfortunately, funding for this vital program has been cut drastically in recent years.”

(Third Paragraph – Tell the policymaker what they can do to help): “I urge you to support the restoration of funding to the Human Services Districts/Authorities for the Individual and Family Support Program so they will be able to meet not only our family’s needs, but those of others as well. 

(Fourth Paragraph – Ask for a response): “I am very interested in knowing your thoughts on this important issue. I look forward to hearing from you.”

Thank you for your support,

Annie Advocate

Steps for Writing an Email

Writing an email is like writing a letter with a few small changes.

• Use the policymaker’s title before their name.
• Introduce yourself.
• Describe your issue or concern.
• Tell the policymaker what they can do to help.
• Ask for a response.
• Close with a thank you.
• End with your contact information. Include your full name, address, phone number and email address.
• Add a personal touch. You can attach a photo to your email.

Check what you wrote before you send the email.

Follow Up

• Check that your letter or email was received. If you do not get a response soon, call to make sure the policymaker got your letter or email. Ask again for a response.
• Find out how the policymaker acted on your issue. Write to thank them if you like what they did.
• Share your experience. Be sure to let your LaCAN Leader know if you get a response.

Other Tips