Representatives receive 100s, if not 1,000s of communications a day. To make sure your voice is heard
If you are a constituent, lead with that fact.
Send a personal message. Describe specifically and in your own words how an issue or legislation will affect you or others you know.
Be brief.
Offer a solution, not just a complaint.
Include the bill number or its popular name if you are commenting on specific legislation.
Provide your name, address and phone number.
Email is now the preferred method of communication, while some representatives prefer phone calls. Letters are still effective.
Positive feedback works wonders. Take the time to let representatives know when they have done something of which you particularly approve.
Phone Calls Before calling prepare a short script with your name, address, phone number, bill number, and whether you support or oppose with one sentence explaining why. If your representative offers a call back option, take it. A staff member will call you back and you can read your script to them.
Finding Your Representatives
The Florida Department of State website has a link that provides a personalized list of all your elected officials from President to your county supervisors based on the mailing address you provide.
Tracking Legislation
Florida's legislature meets for 60 days: January - early March in even numbered years; March - early May in odd numbered years.
The Florida Senate website provides a calendar, gives the status of bills under consideration, and allows you to sign up to track specific bills of interest in both the House and the Senate. It also contains a glossary that is useful in understanding the information provided. You may find these instructions helpful.
The Florida House has a similar website. It is not as easy to search if you do not know the Bill number, so when in doubt, start with the Senate's site.
Be Informed
A good one-stop site for finding research reports as well as links to resources about Florida government isIntegrity Florida. This nonpartisan, nonprofit research institute and government watchdog's mission is to promote integrity in government and expose public corruption.
To learn more about Florida election laws and how they are implemented in the Tri-County area, check out Let Florida Vote!, a presentation at our January 2022 general meeting by Sam Delgado, voting rights organizer from ACLU Florida .
Attend a Local Government Meeting
Show up at a meeting to learn what decisions are being made that impact your community. To find the time and place for your county commission and school boards meetings, take the appropriate link below:
