Contact Your Representative
Why should I contact my representative?
Contacting your representative is one of the most effective ways to create change. However, simply contacting your representative is not a guarantee of creating change. There are several factors you have to account for. For example, a local representative will be much easier to access, and your access may be more direct. Contacting the Mayor of Portland will be much harder than contacting the City Councilperson in your city. This is mostly because representatives with larger areas to cover typically have larger staffs to answer emails, letters, etc. So, keep in mind that reaching out to a bigger politician may not grant you direct access. Regardless, your opinion will be heard by that representative, and if enough people voice their opinions this will increase the likelihood of that representative fighting for that idea in government.
How do I contact my representative?
This can be done in several ways. First, you could simply call their office. As we mentioned before, you may not connect directly to the Representative, but the person on the phone can relay your message if needed. Second, you can write a physical letter to them. This will obviously take longer, and physical objects such as letters may contribute to more office clutter and have a higher potential of being ignored. However, physical letters still carry the weight of the effort it takes to mail them, and representatives take them seriously. Third, you can email them. Email is a great option because it is efficient but also effective. Emails can be sorted and organized to make it easier for the Representative to read and understand your email. They may even reach out and respond to you!
My representative replied. Now what?
Well, you have achieved great success! Be proud of yourself that you received a response. Especially in today’s crazy political climate, a response from a Representative is great. You may try responding back if necessary, but really your options from this point are a bit limited. Talk to your friends and family about your experience and help them if they ever want to contact their Representative.
Contacting your representative is one of the most effective ways to create change. However, simply contacting your representative is not a guarantee of creating change. There are several factors you have to account for. For example, a local representative will be much easier to access, and your access may be more direct. Contacting the Mayor of Portland will be much harder than contacting the City Councilperson in your city. This is mostly because representatives with larger areas to cover typically have larger staffs to answer emails, letters, etc. So, keep in mind that reaching out to a bigger politician may not grant you direct access. Regardless, your opinion will be heard by that representative, and if enough people voice their opinions this will increase the likelihood of that representative fighting for that idea in government.
How do I contact my representative?
This can be done in several ways. First, you could simply call their office. As we mentioned before, you may not connect directly to the Representative, but the person on the phone can relay your message if needed. Second, you can write a physical letter to them. This will obviously take longer, and physical objects such as letters may contribute to more office clutter and have a higher potential of being ignored. However, physical letters still carry the weight of the effort it takes to mail them, and representatives take them seriously. Third, you can email them. Email is a great option because it is efficient but also effective. Emails can be sorted and organized to make it easier for the Representative to read and understand your email. They may even reach out and respond to you!
- Click here for a list of Oregon’s U.S Representatives. You will find some basic information and their contact information.
My representative replied. Now what?
Well, you have achieved great success! Be proud of yourself that you received a response. Especially in today’s crazy political climate, a response from a Representative is great. You may try responding back if necessary, but really your options from this point are a bit limited. Talk to your friends and family about your experience and help them if they ever want to contact their Representative.