Phone Legislators
A phone call to an elected official is one of the most powerful ways to influence policy and make your voice heard.
Why Phone Legislators?
Activists are regularly urged to make calls to the offices of their elected representatives on the Federal, State and Municipal levels.
We make these calls to let our elected leaders know where we stand on issues, and to let them know where we would like them to stand. We do it to have an impact on their votes, their priorities, and the outcomes that follow.
Most often when you reach the office of a legislator, you will find yourself speaking to a young aid or intern. That person will take down your name and address and maybe other contact information, and they will listen while you explain your issue. They will then tally the calls they receive on each issue and inform their elected representative/boss regarding what constituents are calling about.
This information, in turn, allows elected representatives to speak out more freely on the concerns and priorities of their constituents and gives the representative the “runway” to actually lead on issues. Or at least, that’s the goal!
How to Make an Effective Call
Find Your Representatives
Look up your federal and state legislators using your address. Know who represents you at every level of government.
Prepare Your Message
Keep it brief and focused on one issue. State your name, that you're a constituent, your opinion, and what action you want them to take.
Make the Call
Call the local or D.C. office. You'll likely speak to a staffer — that's normal and effective. Be polite, be clear, and be brief.
Follow Up
Call again when there's a vote coming up. Consistent constituent pressure over time is what moves the needle on legislation.
Resources & Tools
Find Elected Federal Officials
Handy links for communicating with officials.
Find Your CT State Legislators
Look up your state senator and state representative using the CT General Assembly website.
5 Calls
Get phone numbers and scripts for the most pressing issues in Congress right now.
Climate Action Now
Call an elected official about climate issues with this easy-to-use app.
Ready to Call Your Legislators?
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