Sample letter you can use to write your Legislator or State

Sample letter you can use to write your Legislator or State Representative

(Month)(Day)(Year)

The Honorable (First name)(Last name)

Address

City, State (Zip Code)

RE: Support to Maintain The Lake County Water Authority As An Independent Special

Taxing District

Dear (Representative/Senator/Congressman or Congresswoman) (Last name):

My name is (your first and last name) and I am a (family member /service

provider/advocate/community member) who resides in your district. I have recently heard

there is interest to draft legislation making The Lake County Water Authority a dependent taxing

district under the Lake County Board of County Commissioners (BCC). This subject has been

addressed at a special workshop held on October 5 between Representative Truenow’s staff and

the BCC. To date, I cannot reference a drafted House Bill proposed by Representative Truenow.

I strongly oppose any House Bill that would change The Lake County Water Authority

from acting as an Independent Special Taxing District. (State why you support or

oppose the bill or other issue here. Choose up to three of the strongest points that

support your position and state them clearly.)

(Include a personal story. Tell your representative why the issue is important to you and

how it affects you, your family member and your community.)

I appreciate your help and ask that you please send me a response letting me know if you are

able to oppose any future House Bill that would prevent our Lake County Water Authority from

remaining an independent special taxing district.

Sincerely,

SIGN YOUR NAME

Print your name

Street address

City, State, Zip code

TIPS FOR WRITING, SENDING AN E-MAIL OR CALLING A LEGISLATOR

Writing a letter to a legislator

Use the proper salutation, for example:

The Honorable (first name) (last name)

Address

City, State, Zip code

Dear (Assembly Member / Senator) (last name)

Be courteous and informative in your communication.

State the purpose of the letter in the opening sentence and if you are referring to a bill, include

the bill number, author and topic. If you live in the elected official’s district be sure to say this in

the opening paragraph as well.

Focus on the message and key points. Personalize the letter by including examples of how the

legislation might impact you and your family. Keep the letter brief – not more than one page.

Restate your request at the end of the letter, for example urging them to support or oppose the

bill. Thank the legislator for his or her support and offer to address any questions that he or she

might have. Be sure to include your contact information, and sign the letter.

Sending e-mail communication to a legislator

The same guidelines apply to e-mail as to written letters. Before sending an e-mail, you might

want to call the legislator’s office and ask if a letter sent by e-mail is effective. If you do send an

e-mail, send it to the representative. Do not copy other representatives or send a mass e-mail.

Make it a brief message with no special layouts or graphics. Do not include attachments.

Include your full name and address so it is clear that you are a constituent, and ask for a

response. You might also want to send a hard copy of your e-mail to the legislator.

Phone calls to a legislator

State your name and address and identify yourself as the legislator’s constituent. You will often

be speaking with a secretary or aide. Briefly make known your position as they keep track of the

issues that people call about to report to the legislator. Have your thoughts organized in advance,

which will help you to keep the call brief and to the point. It is also very helpful to share how the

issue affects you personally. Thank them for their support.