How to Contact Your Representatives
The following is adapted from a workshop I gave in 2021 on how to engage with your local elected officials.
To find who your Federal and State representatives are, use this lookup tool: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Members/District
To find who your County representatives are, use this lookup tool: https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mccouncildistrict/
Crafting your message
Phone Calls
Keep it brief! You’re most likely going to be speaking with a staff person, not the elected official, so keep it brief and keep calm.
- Introduce yourself
- Include your name
- What district you live in
- Find out who you’re speaking with (name and staff position)
- Briefly describe the issue and make your request
- Thank them for their time
- If you have to leave a voicemail, follow-up with an e-mail
- Introduce yourself
- Include your name
- What district you live in
- Your phone number if you want someone to contact you
- Describe the Issue (just one issue, or two if they are related)
- Make a specific request
- Thank them for their time