GUIDELINES
- This is a brief but clear letter about advocating a particular legislation. An effective wording is a powerful way to persuade votes from politicians.
- Introduce yourself and mention if you are representing any organization. State the official name and number of the legislation. Address it by its popular name if any. Be clear on your stand on the law.
- List the reasons why you think the legislation is eligible to pass.
- Mention the flaws in the arguments against the bill.
- Acknowledge the efforts of the legislator to bring up the bill. End with a stress on passing the legislation.
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],
I am an avid sports fan and have enjoyed having many minor league teams settle in our city. Like many people who reside here, I would love to see the San Diego Sharks make this their home, too. I believe your Superdome Bill will indeed benefit the city, and I back you 100%.
I know many people are opposed to this bill, but I do not think they are looking at the "big picture." With your bill, every taxpayer will see a penny sales tax increase. I do not believe the average consumer will feel a pinch on their purchases.
However, they will see a city that grows and prospers with major draws like the Sharks. People will come from all over to see the games, and they will spend money when they come.
This bill is such a good thing for us. I am encouraging everyone I know to get out and vote on Saturday--in support of the Superdome Bill!
Sincerely,
[Senders Name]
[Senders Title] -Optional-
[Enclosures: number] - Optional -
cc: [Name of copy recipient] - Optional -
Example of letter of endorsement for new bill.
Further things to consider when writing endorsement letters to politicians
Endorsement Letters
Endorsement letters are letters written to give support or public approval to someone or something. In most cases, these letters are used to recommend or endorse individuals or programs. There are many reasons why you may want to write an endorsement letter. Some of these include endorsing or expressing support for a new bill, endorsing a student for an award, introducing and endorsing a politician, and endorsing a bid, just to mention a few. Writing endorsement letters for any of these scenarios will provide the information necessary to confirm the selected individual or item.
There are a few things you should keep in mind when writing endorsement letters. First of all, these are formal letters, and therefore they should have some professional approach. Use clear and specific language. Introduce yourself and give details about what you are endorsing. If you are endorsing a candidate for an award, for example, mention the award for which he/she is nominated. Mention how long you have known the candidate and the type of relationship you share. Clearly state the reasons behind your endorsement request. Make sure that the information you have provided is correct. End with an offer to answer any questions.
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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