Contacting your Legislators

The best way to contact your legislators, particularly when time is not an issue, is in person. There is no substitute for personal, face-to-face contact, assuming of course that it is conducted in a cordial manner.

While the General Assembly is in session, many legislators (particularly those outside the major urban areas) will attend weekly or fortnightly informal meetings, often hosted by the local Chambers of Commerce on Saturday mornings. Contact your local or regional Chamber of Commerce for information.

What to Say

Be direct; be straightforward; be businesslike.

State your views and give your reasons for holding them. Indicate why your legislator(s) should side with you. Put your argument into context: what will happen to the folks back home if the legislator sides with you? How will they benefit? Offer to provide additional information but don't get bogged down with elaborate arguments or extensive documentation.

Most legislators are people oriented, or they would not be involved in public service. They are best persuaded by logical, commonsense, to-the-point arguments….expressed in your own words.

For additional tips on lobbying, click here.

Communicating On the Internet, via e-mail

Many, but not all, legislators have a Web site and an e-mail address. Most are interactive; some are passive. Candidly, not all legislators are equally responsive to or accepting of Internet communications.

If you know your legislators personally and can be certain that they are "Web-friendly," you can find them (and their e-mail addresses) by clicking on this link of legislator listings and then locating the individuals you want to reach.

Communicating by Phone or Mail

Write to your legislators as follows:

House of Representatives

The Honorable [LEGISLATOR’S NAME]
Indiana House of Representatives
200 West Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2786

Dear Representative [LAST NAME]:

Senate

The Honorable [LEGISLATOR’S NAME]
Indiana State Senate
200 West Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2785

Dear Senator [LAST NAME]:

Keep in mind that while a phone call may be more personal than a letter, if you have sufficient time to convey your thoughts in writing, and cannot talk with your legislators in person, written communication is more certain. Call your legislators at the following numbers (be prepared for busy lines and long waits, particularly during the latter part of the session):

House of Representatives

(317) 232-9600
Toll-free, 1-800-382-9842

Senate

(317) 232-9400
Toll-free, 1-800-382-9467

TDD Telephone Numbers

(317) 232-0404
Toll-free, 1-800-548-9517