Tips for Writing to Your Senator

I've heard people complain that it doesn't do any good to write to an elected official because "they don't pay attention, anyway." While I can only speak for myself, I find correspondence from Idahoans to be extremely helpful, even if the letter's content is critical of my record in Congress or a position that I have taken in the past. It is important that Idahoans take the opportunity to share their concerns and views with those who have been sent to Washington, DC, to represent our great state. The e-mails, letters, faxes and phone calls I receive from Idahoans are among my best source for learning and understanding your views. It is with those thoughts in mind that I offer the following suggestions for communicating with me and any other elected officials. Simply put, my advice is to be clear, be brief and be courteous.

Writing effective letters to your elected representatives is not difficult. A well-worded and factually persuasive letter can cause an elected official to review or reevaluate his or her position on an issue. Such correspondence has been known to cause a change in position or vote. Communicating your support on an issue, also can reinforce and strengthen a representative's position and gives him or her visible evidence of constituent support.

Here are some basic guidelines to follow when you sit down to write:

Why should you write to me or any other elected official?

• To express your views on an issue and to help your elected representatives understand your position as a constituent.
• To solicit his/her views and position on issues.
• To seek a commitment on an issue.
• To seek assistance and support as a constituent.
• To seek information or ask questions.
• To express appreciation for a job well done or for a particular vote.

Be courteous

• Be polite and courteous in your writing, even if you disagree with a position taken by the official.
• Don't threaten, especially with your vote.
• Don't demand a final or immediate commitment. Legislation is a complicated process; a bill may start out in one direction and end up in another after the committee hearing and amendment processes.
• Be appreciative for the consideration your correspondence will receive. Do not assume that it will be ignored.

Format

• Address your letter properly; include your name and full address on the letter and envelope.
• Proper spelling is a courtesy. With a name like "Crapo," it's not surprising that it is occasionally mispelled (or mispronounced).
• Always write legibly or type your letter, if possible. This ensures that your letter will be readable and understandable. It is probably best to use one side of your paper.
• Sign your letter above your printed or typed name. It is often difficult to read people's signatures; this will ensure correct spelling of your name.
• You may wish to keep a copy of your correspondence and any material that you included for your personal records.

Content

• It is always more effective to write in your own words, rather than simply sign your name to a form letter or a mass mailing provided by a national organization. It is your opinion that matters to me.
• Be specific, brief and to the point.
• Express yourself clearly.
• The more information that you can provide regarding your subject, the more responsive I can be to your concerns. With 20,000 bills introduced each Congress, it can be difficult to track the specific one that concerns you if you don't provide the name of legislation and bill number if known.

Strategy

• If you have expertise in a certain area or issue, please describe your expertise and share your thoughts on how to best address the matter.
• Don't write merely for the sake of writing.
• If you want to send the same information to other elected officials, please send a separate letter rather than simply carbon copy a long list.
• Be patient as my office (and many others) receive thousands of letters a week. While my goal is to have responses out within a couple of weeks, sometimes it can take longer.