The Congressional Management Foundation, a nonpartisan nonprofit, surveyed almost 200 senior congressional staffers who reported that emails, letters, and editorials in local newspapers are most effective in influencing legislators. Political insiders suggest that as few as 10 letters or calls on an issue are enough to get a legislator to pay close attention to a particular issue.

Who Represents Me?

Ballotpedia maintains a listing of representatives from the federal to the local level. However, given the fast pace of elections and local events it is always recommended to double-check information, especially at the local level.

How Do I Contact Them?

Once you have found your representative's name, check out this site as a starting point for finding contact information. At the local level, the East-West Gateway Directory of Public Officials can also be helpful.

What Do I Say?

• Tips for Writing Effective Letters to Congress
• What Calling Congress Achieves
• Here's Why You Should Call Your Elected Officials

Next up: Engaging with Political Parties and Local Candidates