Calling Your Legislator

When the Legislature is in session, you can call legislators or their staff at their offices at the Capitol.

Lists of members' names, offices, addresses and telephone numbers are available

• For the House at: http://www.okhouse.gov/Members/MemberListing.aspx
  or by calling 405-521-2711
• For the Senate at: http://www.oksenate.gov/senators.htm
  or by calling 405-524-0126.

Here are a few tips for calling your legislator:

• Identify the bill or issue you wish to talk about by name and number (if possible)
• Briefly state your position and how you would like your legislator to vote.
• Ask for your legislator's stance on the bill / issue.
• Don't argue if the legislator has an opposing view or hasn't yet decided.
• If you don't know the answer to a question, don't guess. Simply say you don't know, but that you will find out and get back to her/him with the information.
• If your legislator or staff needs more information, supply it as quickly as possible (things move very quickly at the Statehouse!)
• Never be abusive or use threats.
• Follow up your call with a note restating your position and thanking them for their time.

Warning: Legislators are often away from the office, in committee meetings, or on the floor of the chamber, so you may end up talking with a staff person instead. That's great! Use the same basic rules. Staff are very reliable and will pass along your message.

Tips for using voicemail:

• State your name and address
• Identify the specific bill you are calling about; use the bill number if you know it.
• Briefly state your position-either support, opposition or some combination.
• Keep the message simple.

For example: "Hello, this is Jane Smith at 123 Main Street in Oklahoma City. I'm calling to let you know that I fully support H.R. 1234, which would increase funding for child care subsidy in Oklahoma. I urge you to vote yes. Thank you."

Adapted from Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, Four Practical Tools: Advocacy Toolkit