GUIDELINES
- A letter from the body that recommends specific laws is a necessary means to convince the politicians to vote a particular way. It should be straightforward, brief and clear.
- Make it clear if you are writing as a private citizen or as your organization's representative. Point out the law that you are discussing using its official name and number or using its famous name if available. Clarify from the beginning what is your position on the issue,
- Make a list of the reasons why you agree to pass the bill
- Identify the questions and errors in the arguments against the passage of the bill.
- Tell them that you appreciate the legislator's service, and end with an intensified appeal for the adoption of the law.
SAMPLE LETTER
[Address line]
[State, ZIP Code]
[Letter Date]
[Address line]
[State, ZIP Code]
[Subject: Normally bold, summarizes the intention of the letter] -Optional-
Dear [Recipients Name],
As a small business owner and parent of three children, I am writing to you to give my strong support for the proposed Senate bill that will give tax breaks to students who are in the process of pursuing post-secondary schooling. Education is so important to prepare young people for the world that is rapidly changing around them and personally putting my children through college; I know how expensive this is, especially when it's more than one child at a time undertaking the schooling. We can make no greater investment in the future of America than by helping our young people obtain the education they require in succeeding in 21st Century USA and the world. I ask you to vote for the new bill.
Sincerely,
[Senders Name]
[Senders Title] -Optional-
[Enclosures: number] - Optional -
cc: [Name of copy recipient] - Optional -
Example of an advocate letter supporting a Senate bill.
Further things to consider when writing government letters to politicians
Government Letters
Government letters are letters you write to a government official to voice your concerns or air your grievances. Most people write government letters when airing their concerns or when running businesses that regularly communicate with the government. Government letters help you weigh in on what is going on in your locality, state, or nation. Since these letters are addressed to different government officials, you need to use the proper addressing etiquette. The official mailing address varies from official to official, and therefore you need to look up for the standard address for that specific recipient.
When writing government letters, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. For starters, you need to learn the official's name and clarify why you are addressing the letter to this particular person. If you don't know any specific official, use the address of the relevant department. Clearly mention why you are writing the letter and your expectations. Show due respect even if you feel that the recipient is in the wrong. Support your stance with logical arguments and strong evidence. Highlight some of the benefits of considering or following your suggestion and close the letter with a call to action.
Letters to Politicians
Letters to politicians are letters written to people who are active in government usually as elected officials. Like the majority of business people, most politicians do not have enough time to read and respond to letters from their constituents. Your letter is most likely read by an assistant who discusses it briefly with the politician and drafts a response according to that discussion. Therefore, your letter needs to be clear and to the point so that the assistant understands its content completely. You don't want the letter to end up in the stack of unheeded letters, do you?
Personal letters to politicians could be one of the most effective tools for change. Before drafting one, do your homework to make sure that you are writing to the right person. Address the recipient with respect. State the objective of your letter and briefly introduce your issue. Mention your interest in the issue at hand and any relevant credentials. Introduce questions that will provoke the recipient to respond. Suggest ways in which the issue can be resolved. Thank the politician for any positive action he/she has taken in the past on similar issues. Close the letter with a call to action.
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