New Jersey Citizens' Guide to Government
Writing Letters
Addressing Elected Officials
Sample Letter
Using E-mail
Writing Letters
- Effective letters are those which are individually written or typed
rather than a form letter you simply sign.
- Identify the bill by number and title in your letter.
- State your position in your introductory paragraph (support, oppose,
wish to amend). Make a clear and concise argument for your position.
- Limit each letter to a single subject or piece of legislation.
- Give your full name and address and identify yourself as a registered
voter in the legislator's district and/or as a member of an organization
interested in the legislation.
- Letters on federal legislation should be mailed to your congressman/woman's
Washington D.C. address.
- The most effective time to write about legislation is while it is
still in committee.
- Addresses can be found under Members of
Congress and Members
of the New Jersey Legislature at this web site.
Addressing Elected
Officials
When writing to U.S. Senator or N.J. Senator
The Honorable Mary/John Doe
(address)
Dear Senator Doe:
When writing to U.S. Representative
or a member of the N.J. Assembly
The Honorable Anne/James Jones
(address)
Dear Representative or Dear Assemblyman (woman)
Jones:
When writing to the President
The President of the United States
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr./Ms. President
When writing to the Governor
The Honorable Mary/John Smith
Governor of New Jersey
State House
P.O. Box 001
Trenton, NJ 08625-0001
Dear Governor Smith:
Sample Letter
| (your home address!!)
Dear Senator ____________:
Re: Jobs from Housing and Economic Development Bond Act
A.1442/1443, S.202/203
I am concerned about affordable housing for all New Jersey citizens
and believe that government at all levels should make sufficient
funds available for housing assistance programs. I urge you to support
the Jobs from Housing and Economic Development Bond Act as a means
of meeting a portion of the need.
While providing housing for more than 30,000 New Jersey citizens,
the $290 million dollar bond issue will create many new construction,
retail and manufacturing jobs throughout the state. It will generate
tax revenue for state and local governments.
I hope that I can count on you as my senator to support this important
legislation. If you wish to speak with me, I can be reached at (phone
number). Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
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Many decision makers still don't use e-mail regularly and consequently
don't place much value on e-mail correspondence.While all of this is
likely to change over time, we have a long way to go before policy makers
really accept e-mail correspondence as an indicator of public opinion.
This does NOT mean that e-mail is a less effective tool for outreach
and advocacy. It just means that we need to recognize its limitations
and develop our online advocacy strategies accordingly.
E-mail is still a powerful tool for educating and mobilizing activists.
Use it to let your members know when phone calls or letters are necessary,
and to distribute sample letters and the addresses and phone numbers
of targeted decision makers. Use it to educate activists by directing
them to online background information.
Use it to "brainstorm" with other activists about strategy,
and to recruit volunteers.
But for the time being, we recommend that you pick up the phone or
put a letter in the mail box when you want to communicate your concerns
to policy makers.
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