There is so much you can do

 LEGISLATORS                 

Why Write?

• Legislators care about re-election and about passing bills 
• Letters provide a written record of constituents’ concerns and positions and communicate a serious interest in an issue
• Remind them that they work for you, and you are paying attention to their actions

Structure of Letter/ Template

• Begin with a concise and clear subject line; reference the bill number or issues about which you are writing
• Introduce yourself, identify yourself as a constituent, describe relevant credentials or expertise, and explain your reason for writing. Mention any personal connection with the legislator, if you have supported their campaign, etc.  (2 – 3 sentences)
• Make your case. Choose two or three of the strongest points to persuade the legislator to support your position. Include specific and concrete facts. Tell a personal story about how this legislation impacts your life or your friends/ family/ community members’ lives.  Connect the issue with the legislator’s experience or interests (1 -2 short paragraphs)
• State your call to action. Are you asking to support legislation, make a public statement, change aspects of a bill? (1-2 sentences)
• Thank the legislator for considering your views, restate your key message and end with specific questions about what actions they will take, to prompt a reply (1-2 sentences)
• Include the date, your full name, address (including the zip code) email, telephone number

Best Practices/ Tips

• Contact your legislators when the issue is in front of them; see sources below to follow legislation 
• Read your legislator’s website to determine what issues are most important to them and tie your “ask” to their interests 
• Find the “contact” information on your legislator’s website to determine how to submit your letter (typically by email or through a web-based form)
• Write to your legislators only when advocating for action on a particular piece of legislation; If you want to influence a legislator who doesn’t represent you could ask your legislator to act on your behalf 
• There may be occasions when you should write to a committee chair or other politician who has significant power over the outcome of the legislation; be guided by the legislative alerts that you read from various advocacy groups (see below)
• Spell the legislator’s name correctly, and use the appropriate salutation (Dear Representative, Senator)
• Cover only one issue per letter, and limit your letter to one page or the equivalent
• Be polite and respectful, request (not demand) action, avoid threats 
• Emphasize personal stories to help them understand how the issues you care about connect to real people in their constituency 
• Write from the heart; use emotionally charged words like disappointed, appalled, infuriated, disheartened, outraged, or delighted, pleased, hopeful, grateful, optimistic
• Avoid jargon and acronyms in your writing
• Use a politically neutral tone and don’t disparage opposing views; rather, make a case for your views
• Run spell/grammar check before sending the letter
• If you don’t get a response to your initial letter in a timely fashion, write again
• Send a thank you note when they do something that you like
• Ask someone else to read your letter; an extra pair of eyes may identify weaknesses or omissions in your letter

Additional Suggestions & Resources

• Research AZ state bills:
  1. Track the legislative process through Request to Speak https://apps.azleg.gov
  2. Find bills as introduced  https://www.azleg.gov/Bills
  3. Search text of bills https://www.azleg.gov/site-search

• Member Roster https://www.azleg.gov/memberroster and Committee Membership
• Subscribe to AZ Legislative Alerts https://www.uujaz.org and AZ Legislative Update http://www.cebv.us
• Sign up on your legislators’ websites and social media platforms to follow their actions and get insight into their positions
• Set up a Google Alert to receive an email whenever your legislators are in the news

EDITORS

Why Write?

• Letters to the editor in local  newspapers are read by your legislators, especially if they or an issue  that they are championing or opposing is discussed
• Your interest focuses attention  on an issue that has broad community impact and can mobilize others to take action
• Letters submitted by a group (formal or an alliance of concerned citizens) may have more impact 

Structure of Letter

• Refer to the article or issue  about which you are writing; identify in full the person or entity that  you are trying to influence 
• Lead with your reaction to the  article, and state your opinion 
• Back up your statements with facts from reputable, verifiable sources
• Include any personal experience  or professional qualifications pertinent to the topic
• End with a call to action, explain what you think needs to happen next
• Include all of your contact information as requested by the paper 

Best Practices/ Tips

• Read the newspaper’s submission guidelines, especially regarding length and tone
• Focus on local issues that are current  and relevant to your neighbors
• Keep it short (a rule of thumb  is 250 words) and write about one issue
• Use one or two powerful facts to make your point without engaging in a policy discussion
• Share relevant personal stories  and anecdotes if they add color, context and validity
• Be positive, creative, show emotion, passion, and respect
• Write the letter in your own words, and inject humor if appropriate
• Read other LTEs in the newspaper to ascertain type and style of letters published
• Don’t be discouraged if your letter is not published; try again on another topic
• See “Advocacy Letters to Legislators” for additional tips

Selected Local Newspapers LTE Submission Links

• Ahwatukee Foothills News http://www.ahwatukee.com/site/contact.html  (see Newsroom)
• Arizona Capitol Times https://azcapitoltimes.com/submit-opinions
• Arizona Daily Star http://speedway.tucson.com/letters/?action=letter#tracking-source=menu-nav
• Arizona Daily Sun https://azdailysun.com/forms/contact/letter_to_the_editor/#tracking-source=menu-nav
• Arizona Republic http://static.azcentral.com/opinion/letters
• Casa Grande Dispatch https://www.pinalcentral.com/site/forms/online_services/letter
• Daily Courier (Prescott) https://www.dcourier.com/contact
• Daily News-Sun (local papers by city, including Apache Junction, Glendale, Peoria, Scottsdale, Sun City  & Surprise, among others) https://yourvalley.net; email  LTE to tthornton@newszap.com
• East Valley Tribune https://www.eastvalleytribune.com/submissions/letter_editor_imported-1375321145
• SanTan Sun News http://santansun.com; Email LTE to news@santansun.com
• Today’s News-Herald https://www.havasunews.com/site/forms/online_services/letter/letter_editor
• Yuma Sun https://www.yumasun.com/site/forms/online_services/letter/letter_editor