Contact Your Representatives
We encourage you to contact your representatives about the issues that matter to you and your patients. One way is to call your legislator’s office. Another way is to send them a short email.
Need a quick refresher on the legislative process?
Read about how a bill becomes a law in Minnesota»
Not sure who represents you?
Enter your address in the state’s district finder. You will see a list of your Minnesota and U.S. representatives. Click on their names for their phone number, email and mailing address.
Tips for Contacting Your Representatives
Do…
- Be brief. Get right to the point. For example, you may wish to begin your phone call, email, or letter like this: “I hope you will support (or oppose) HF or SF___.” Give your reasons for supporting or opposing the measure. Tell your legislator why you think the bill, if it becomes law, will help or hurt you, your patients, your organization, or your community.
- Offer to be of assistance. Offer to testify if there is a hearing regarding the issue with which you’re concerned.
- Ask them to reply back to you, if you wish.
- Be polite and reasonable. And finally, be sure to say “thanks.”
Don’t…
- Don’t use template letters. Use your own words. Legislators say, “I’d rather get one short, simple, handwritten letter than a hundred form letters that organizations urge people to write.”
- Don’t address a state legislator as “Congressman” or “Congresswoman.”