How to Lobby: Earn the Right to be Heard

Legislature

In this series, we provide some tips on how you as a voter can successfully lobby your elected officials.

Elected officials don’t always give you their time and attention simply because you’re a voter. It’s something you have to earn. Being polite, friendly, and positive is one way you can increase the chances that lawmakers will want to hear from you. Even a legislator who strongly disagrees with your opinion will have a harder time turning you away or writing you off if you come across as helpful and supportive rather than adversarial and angry. Don’t fake it, either. Be genuine. Legislators are real people with real feelings. Treating them in a Christ-like manner is one way you earn the right to be heard.

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How to Lobby: Be Persistent

Legislature

In this series, we provide some tips on how you as a voter can successfully lobby your elected officials.

Lobbying takes persistence. When the Legislature is in session, lawmakers are bombarded with dozens of pieces of legislation, countless meetings, and hours of phone messages. It’s understandable for a lawmaker to forget about a bill or an issue shortly after you’ve spoken with him or her. That’s why persistence is important. If you don’t reach a lawmaker right away, keep trying; after you have reached them, be sure to follow up with more communication on the issue (for example: “Rep. Smith, Thank you for meeting with me to discuss HB1234. I really hope you will vote for it when the time comes, because…”). Persistent attempts to communicate with lawmakers pay off over time.

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How to Lobby: Be Direct

Legislature

In this series, we provide some tips on how you as a voter can successfully lobby your elected officials.

Arkansas legislators are regular people. Yes, they are elected to be public servants and your representatives, but they’re just like anyone else: They have jobs; they get bored by long, one-sided conversations; and they may not read every word of a really long letter or email. So when you communicate with your elected officials—whether in person, over the phone, or in writing—be direct. Get to the point. Introduce yourself, and then explain what your concern is, why you’re concerned, and what you want them to do (for example “Please vote against HB1234”). With a lot of issues, you might be able to do all of that in just 3 or 4 sentences. In fact, a lot of email messages can be distilled down to one sentence: “Please vote against _____________”. The clearer you are, the more likely it is your elected officials will understand your position and side with you.

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