Expressing your concerns in a written format can be an effective way to get assistance in tackling a challenge and encourage your community to be more equitable. This page provides a general list of who to contact on a local, state, and federal level as well as an editable letter template.
Depending on the challenge, you may want to reach out to an official on a local, state, or federal level. Here are examples of situations that require you to reach out to different people.
When to Reach Out: When dealing with local issues directly affecting your community. This might include flooding, zoning, ordinances, permits, and air quality.
When to Reach Out: Broader challenges best addressed on a state level. For example, infrastructure, state-wide policy, statewide advocacy.
When to Reach Out: Concerns that may involve a federal agency like the EPA to intervene. Some examples are, major environmental violations or health risks to community members, federal laws, Superfund sites.
If unsure of who to contact, don’t hesitate to reach out to a related office, explain the issue to them and ask if they can direct you to the right place.
There are many different ways to find the contact information for elected officials. Below are some helpful resources.
If you are struggling to find the contact information you are looking for, don’t hesitate to reach out to a related office and ask them for the information you are looking for.
In your letters, emails, and phone calls you want to make sure you use the proper greeting.
Commissioner- “Commissioner (last name)”
Mayor- “Mayor (last name)”
Governor- “The Honorable (full name)”
Senator- “Senator (last name)”
Representative- “Mr./Mrs. (last name)”
Emailing or sending a letter to an official is an effective way to get your voice heard and be a part of the solution. While these guidelines are helpful remember that they are a starting point and should be customized to fit your situation and style.
Helpful letter writing tips: https://www.planning.org/advocacy/toolbox/emails.htm
