Often times constituents vote and then return to their daily lives and hope that the person they supported (if elected) goes about the "Peoples" business in a manner that they hope they will so that they have a level in security in their lives.
However, in this political climate simply casting a vote in an election may not be enough. Everyone has seen how the political arena has changed in the last decade. The influences now even in local districts are coming from afar and many legislators no longer receive the majority of their contributions or donations from inside their own district anymore.
The biggest question that must be asked is how do constituents have any "influence" with legislators any more now that things have moved so far away from "all politics is local"?
The one thing to realize is that not all legislators are "political animals" and many if you sat down with them would even tell you they do not consider themselves "politicians". It is easy to identify the "political animals" making politics a career or ambition. They typically are all over your facebook feeds, on television news programs or routinely in the paper speaking to the issues of the day.
The majority of legislators would require a google search for information and many are not even known ny a majority of their own constituents. Their children may attend the same schools or play in the same sports associations as our children and we may not even know it.
So how do you manage to engage State Legislators?
First off, always remember no matter what the issue that you wish to address or discuss with your legislator that he/she is not only a person but also a member of your greater community. The goal should always be a relationship with your legislator and a respectful one.
Lets address one important thing. There is a huge difference between "lobbying" your legislator and blasting them on facebook or sending them messages demanding they do this or that. If an issue is very important to you than it is important to have established a relationship no matter how small with your legislator and their office. Facebook typically destroys more relationships that it creates.
Outside of an organized "Lobby Day", some very easy to follow steps regarding establishing a relationship with your legislator to follow is this:
1. Making Initial Contact : Contacting your legislator may involve attending a breakfast, event like a town hall and introduce yourself. This can also e down during campaigns when legislators are at their most accessible at campaign offices. Officials routinely attend local events in your community as well such as rallies or local board meetings and community organized events.
2.Directly Contacting Your Legislator: Every Legislator has a contact information on the General Assembly web pages for each chamber. Typically, the contact information will list the office phone number and government email address. Usually, constituents will speak with support staff during the Assembly session if they call their legislator and emails tend to be initially read by staff on behalf of the legislator. It is important for you from time to time to send email of support for those issues that you are in agreement with as much as it is to voice opposition to a bill. Again, your goal is to establish a relationship.
3. Social Media: Most legislators will not respond to Facebook messages even if they have accounts set up. Most have Legislator Pages as well as personal accounts. Best advice is to not use the personal facebook account if you happen to be linked as friends. The official pages typically have videos and posts for discussion on issues that are being considered. There are also "support" or "friends of" pages for legislators set up by supporters and this is a good place for discussion and advocacy.
4. Emails or Letters: A very good way of contacting any legislator initially for information or to have an issue addressed. Most officials either will respond themselves or have staff reply to you addressing your concern. If you have not had a return reply to an email, be sure to forward your email again with a simple respectful prompt that you would like a reply to your letter or email.
5. Schedule a Visit: setting up a personal visit at the legislators office is an outstanding way to lobby your position and/or discuss an issue with a legislator. It is critical that you plan out your visit. Know your issue and research the legislators position. Know what you would like to convey to the legislator. Also very important is to contact and schedule visits with legislators that have been assigned to a specific committee that address the issue of your concern. This is often over looked by citizens who think they only can lobby their own legislator.
Important Resources:
Review these sites for legislation details and summaries of bill proposals that may impact your issue or position.
lis.virginia.gov
virginiageneralassembly.gov
leg1.state.va.us
Of course you can certainly join groups that formally lobby the General Assembly. Simply research your issue and locate organizations that are working to address the issue either within the Commonwealth or Nationally. It is best to join the local chapters of state chapters of lobbying groups who are better informed. Many have their own "Lobby Days" where its members join the group at the State Capital to visit with law makers. In terms of lobbying many believe there is strength in numbers but never underestimate the power of a local voice with regard to issues.
Often far too many constituents see the effort of lobbying as futile in the face of the large, heavily funded formal lobbying groups that are regulated but at the end of the day "lobby" groups or "special interest" do not re-elect legislators; you do.
Your opinions do in fact matter not just your vote.
Remember there are true perceived differences between lobbying and advocacy. Advocacy typically results in mobilization like marches and rallies which are typically organized by various organizations that may also have "lobbying" arms.
If you are interested in learning more about who or what organizations contribute to a legislator that information is made public by various groups like Open Secrets but the best in Virginia is:
vpap.org
Vpap.org will provide the campaign donation or contribution information and even show where the money is coming from by State and also show a legislators expenditures.
For example here is the link to the year end Campaign Fiance Reports:
https://www.vpap.org/updates/3505-now-live-year-end-campaign-finance-reports-202001/
If you are interested in how the major Advocacy and Lobby Groups participated in the 2019 Virginia Election all the information you need is located at Vpap.org.
For example, if you are interested in the Gun Control Issues you can research each legislator and see how much was donated to them by Michael Bloomberg's groups or Everytown For Gun Safety. This is certainly good information to have if you are planning to discuss gun related issues with a legislator.
Many feel as though they can only approach their own legislator. Making this relationship is a great start but one can certainly attempt to "lobby" other legislators as well that may be voting on an issue given so many localities have multiple districts with different legislators especially in the House of Delegates.
There are about 17 House Delegates from Fairfax County alone in the House of Delegates, General Assembly.
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