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A GUIDE TO LOBBYING AN ELECTED OFFICIAL IN PERSON

Making an Appointment

  1. First, find out who represents you.

  2. After you determine who are your elected officials, you will need to obtain the phone number to their regional or capitol office. Legislators can be visited at either of these offices according to their schedules. To find your legislator’s numbers, click here.

  3. When you call to make an appointment, ask to speak to the legislator’s appointment scheduler. You will need to call about a month and a half in advance of the time you want to visit to ensure that you can get an appointment. Let the scheduler know that you are a constituent and which issues you want to discuss with the legislator.

  4. A few days before your scheduled appointment, call your legislator’s office and verify your appointment.

Your Visit

  1. When you find the legislator’s office, go right on in. You do not have to knock. Tell the receptionist your name and that you have arrived for your appointment. Do not be surprised if you have to wait beyond your scheduled time.

  2. Even though you made an appointment with the legislator, their schedules change all the time, so do not be surprised if you end up meeting with an aide. The aide is an equally important person to educate about issues because she/he advises the legislator.

  3. Make sure to introduce yourself to the legislator/aide and let them know that you live in their district.

  4. Start by thanking the representative/aide for taking time to meet with you and explain why you are visiting.

  5. Plan your lobby visit for about 20 minutes. The legislator/aide has a full day and may have many appointments scheduled. It is important to be clear and concise. Introduce the issue, outline the support for your viewpoint and ask them to support you on your positions. Try to get a clear commitment.

  6. If you do not know the answer to a question, tell the legislator/aide that you do not know, but you will follow up. Be sure to write the question down and try to find an answer to it in a timely manner after your visit.

  7. Make sure that you thank the legislator/aide for taking the time to meet with you and for whatever commitment they have made. After the visit, it is important to write a letter to the legislator/aide thanking them for visiting with you. Take this opportunity to answer any unanswered questions that they may have had during the visit. 

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