How to Lobby Your Legislator

"Political action is the highest responsibility of a citizen."

John F. Kennedy
October 20, 1960


How to "Lobby" Your Legislator: It's Easier Than You Think


Develop Relationships
Strive for a good working relationship. Such relationships must be built and maintained; they must be honest and straightforward; and they must be premised upon mutual respect. Try to avoid only talking to your legislator when you need something, but if you do need something do not hesitate to talk to your legislator.

Provide Accurate, Reliable Information
The best way to render yourself ineffective is to provide bad information to a public official who is working on your behalf. Don't mislead someone whose help you wish to enlist. If providing inaccurate information does work you will destroy the relationship you are trying to develop.

Comply with Vermont's Ethics Law
If you treat your legislator to a meal or give them a gift of any kind, Vermont's ethics law may come into play. Unless you are a registered lobbyist filling proper disclosure will fall with the recipient.

Remember, Your Vote is Important
Never forget, that as a voter, your vote is important to your legislator.

As a Member of an Association Your Clout is Greater
While your membership in VSPE increases your clout this is not a club to be wielded so much as a fact that most legislators will recognize. Legislators will want your vote and the support of your organization so they will look for ways to work with you if at all possible.


Do's & Don'ts While Visiting Your Legislator
Do Don't
Make your appointment in advance. Ask to see the member himself. If unavailable, ask for the legislative aide who is responsible for the issues you want to discuss. Meet with a page or correspondence worker if possible.
Be prompt and be prepared to wait. Be impatient.
Introduce yourself, even if you have met previously, and offer information from the district. Pass along complimentary things you have heard about the member. Assume the member remembers you from a previous event or meeting.
Get to your point(s) of business quickly. Tell the legislator why you are visiting, issues that concern you, and what action you would like to see from him. Chat away the legislator's time.
Discuss only a few issues. Talk about more than three or four issues.
Hand the legislator printed information supporting your point (position statements, newsletter articles, fact sheets, etc.) Hand over volumes of materials to the legislator.
Offer similar printed materials to the legislator's staffers. Underestimate the influence of staffers.
Be polite and pleasant. Be rude, argumentative, or abraisive.
In closing, offer your assistance in the future. Overstay your welcome, make demands, or threaten the member with votes.
Write a "thankyou" to the member, restating the issues discussed and close with an action request for the legislator to act on. Forget about the legislator as soon as you leave.
Perpetuate the relationship every few months to raise you visibility with the legislator's office. Only call on your legislator when you need something.