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