Policymaker Contact

What tactics actually move policymakers? We try hard to influence policymakers like elected leaders and other government decision-makers. But do our tactics work? Turns out, our assumptions (such as more = better) can be wrong. Here are evidence-based tips for getting through to policymakers, both through mobilizing your supporters and via direct lobbying from your organization. Download the most recent version of this slidedeck here.

Additional tools and resources to support your work:

What Actually Moves Policymakers?
Tipsheet: What Actually Moves Policymakers?
Three pages of summarized insights on policymaker contact best practices
Updates to existing policymaker contact best practices
Newsletter: The latest on legislator engagement
Updates to our recommendations based on the latest research as of 2023
Policymaker Contact: Fine-tuning an engagement plan
Worksheet: Policymaker Contact: Fine-tuning an engagement plan
Step-by-step guide on developing a policymaker contact plan for a campaign
The State of Climate Polling
Webinar: The State of Climate Polling
Check out the presentations on how to persuade policymakers using public opinion polling, from Stanford's Samy Sekar and Yale's Joshua Low
Climate Opinion Factsheets
Tool: Climate Opinion Factsheets from Yale Program on Climate Change Communication
Leave-behind briefs on climate opinions for every state, Congressional district, and county (state legislative districts, too), perfect for handing to policymakers
Increasing Personalized Content in Policymaker Contact
Presentation: Increasing Personalized Content in Policymaker Contact
Techniques to increase the proportion of personalized letters supporters send to policymakers

 

Check out more content on this topic in our Resource Library!
Key Points
  • Emphasize constituent opinion: Evidence supports the effectiveness of simply showing policymakers the level of constituent support for your position.
  • Power comes from signaling our level of commitment: The power of constituent contact is how it indicates the breadth and depth of genuine public support. 
  • Prioritize quality contact over quantity of contact: Focus on contact that demonstrates passion, like office visits, which may be 47 times more impactful than email.
  • Goldilocks zone of authenticity: Too few calls/emails won’t show enough support, but too many can seem inauthentic (driven by an organized campaign)
  • Take it personally: Individualized messages and personal stories have more impact than form letters.
  • Temper expectations on high-profile issues: It’s harder for policymaker contact to break through lots of noise and pressure.
  • Taking it to the streets: Well-designed protests can be effective, but don't expect miracles.
  • Focus on local impacts: Show policymakers how your issue will affect their constituents.
  • Catch their eyes: Policymaker staffers say they want visual materials on local impacts.