Use Your Voice
To bring attention to your views contact elected officials, write letters to editors, share verified information on social media, communicate respectfully with others, and vote. This page explains how to find and connect with elected officials. See Be Informed for resources on finding and validating information. Details about voting in Florida can be found in Vote.
Contact Your Elected Official
Find Contact Information
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.
Tips for Communicating
Representatives receive 100s, if not 1,000s of communications a day. To make sure your voice is heard
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If you are a constituent, lead with that fact.
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Send a personal message. Describe specifically and in your own words how an issue or legislation will affect you or others you know.
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Be brief.
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Offer a solution, not just a complaint.
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Include the bill number or its popular name if you are commenting on specific legislation.
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Provide your name, address and phone number.
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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 it 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.
Democracy is not a spectator sport
Legislative Delegation Meetings
Attend a Meeting
Committee begin meeting and establishing priorities months before the beginning of the legislative session. This is the time to learn, and perhaps influence, legislation that will be passed.
Each county holds a public meeting prior to the legislative session, where voters and local elected officials have the opportunity to interact with Florida senators and representatives (the legislative delegation). During these meetings, individuals and organizations may present legislative proposals, request funding, and share their views on state matters.
In the tri-county area, the meetings usually begin with each senator and representative stating their goals for the upcoming session. Local elected officials are given time to discuss their requests, followed by remarks from members of the public and non-governmental organizations. Advance registration is generally necessary for those who wish to speak.
Delegations set their own schedules for meeting times and locations. Some counties plan these meetings as early as four months before the legislative session, while others hold them closer to its beginning. To find your county’s delegation meeting schedule or to register to speak, contact your senator or representative’s office. Registration is not required for those who wish to observe.
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