Home | How to Contact Your Legislators | Advocacy Days 2007 Schedule | Tips for a Smooth Advocacy Day

How Can I get involved?

How do I find my legislative District?

Who are my legislators?

How do I contact my legislators?

How can I get involved? 
The Legislative Session is just around the corner and we need your help!  As a grass roots organization, YOU are the key to making things happen.  The most important person to a legislator is not a lobbyist, but a constituent, because only you have the power to vote him or her out of office!

You may ask yourself—“what can I do?”  There are several things you can do to help make this a successful legislative session for people with developmental disabilities:

1. Join us in Olympia for ADVOCACY DAY.  If you have never been to Olympia before to visit your legislators, this is a fabulous way to learn how the system works and to tell your story to legislators.  If it has been a while since you have attended Advocacy day, please consider joining us again.  It is important to reinforce the issues with our legislators. See the enclosed sheets for dates, times and let us know if you would like to join us.
    

2. Contact your legislators when you receive a LEGISLATIVE ALERT. (by e-mail, mail or phone call) When you receive one of these messages, please respond! Your legislators want to know what you think!
    

3. If you are not already a member of the KING COUNTY PARENT COALITION, for Developmental Disabilities, please contact us to join. Cathy Murahashi cmurahashi@arcofkingcounty.org 425-643-4048
    

4. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ISSUES. The Arc of Washington has an Advocacy Center that has issue papers that can be downloaded, as well as other advocacy resources. www.arcwa.org

How do I find my legislative district?
Go to:  www1.leg.wa.gov and type in your address.

How do I contact my legislators?

 There are several ways to communicate with your legislators:

1.    Letters: both snail mail and e-mail.

2.    Telephone: either directly to their office or the Hotline. 

LETTERS 

You may write to your legislators both by snail mail letter and by e-mail.  Keep in mind that things move quickly during the legislative session and snail mail letters may take some time to reach your legislators, especially with the current mail security that is in place.

Legislative Addresses

Governor
Office of the Governor
Legislative Building
Olympia, WA 98504

House of Representatives
PO Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600

Senate
PO Box 404_____*
Olympia, WA 98504-04+ the legislative district*

*Note for Senate address: After "404", insert your district number.  After the 0-4 in the zip insert legislative district. Example for the 33rd district senator: PO Box 40433- Olympia, WA 98504-0433 or see the How to Contact Your Legislators page for full contact information.

E-MAIL

To reach your legislator by e-mail:  the last name of the legislator, followed by a period, their full first name followed by @leg.wa.gov   For example Joe Smith would be Smith.Joe@leg.wa.gov; or see the How to Contact Your Legislators page for full contact information.

Letter Writing Tips

n     State your name, address and phone number

n     Note that you are a constituent

n     Personalize: Tell your story

n     Stick to key points

n     Be clear about what you would like your legislator to do

n     Keep it brief: try to keep it to one page: During the legislative session one paragraph is probably all the will be read!

n     Mention that you are part of a group

n     Thank your legislator

n     If you want a response, you need to ask for one.

TELEPHONE

There are two ways to reach your legislator’s by phone.  By calling the FREE Hotline or by direct dialing their offices.

 Some General Phone tips: 

1.    Be prepared.  Have your legislative district ready.   Write down a few brief notes about what you would like to say. 

2.    Be brief.  The legislative session is a busy time, and there are many people calling their legislators.

THE LEGISLATIVE HOTLINE

The legislative hotline is a great tool that Washington State offers.  By dialing 1-800-562-6000, or 1-800-645-9993  for TDD you can leave a message for your three legislators and the Governor.   There are also Spanish and Russian speaking operators available.  If the hotline is busy—keep trying!

During the legislative session the hotline hours are: Monday-Friday, 8 am-8pm; Saturday 9am-1pm

Off session: Monday- Friday, 8 am-12 noon, and 1 pm -4:30

Your call is so important that if just ten or fifteen calls are made that support or oppose a bill it is considered a landslide of public opinion.

When you do make a Hotline call, be sure to follow these easy guidelines:

• State your NAME and ADDRESS. If you know the names of your LEGISLATORS, give their names, as well as your DISTRICT.
• Identify the specific BILL you are calling about. Use the exact bill number, if you know what it is.
• State YOUR POSITION (support, oppose, amend) and keep it simple.

DIRECT CALLS TO YOUR LEGISLATORS OFFICE

By calling your legislator’s number directly, you have the opportunity to speak directly with your legislator’s assistant.  Get to know the assistant, they often has a wealth of information and can be of help to you.  Be sure and tell them you are a constituent.