How to Contact Your Legislator
If you are not sure who your legislators are, you can check by going to the Legislature’s website at:
http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/about/districtmap.htm
You can also contact your county clerk’s office.
You can contact your legislators in a variety of ways. Some key tips to remember when contacting your legislators:
- Be respectful. Even if you and a legislator do not agree. The legislative process is built on respect. If you violate that, you will not have credibility.
- Be concise. Legislators are literally swamped with information, demands, and contacts. They appreciate brevity.
- Be honest. Do not mislead. Do not embellish. Do not deceive. If you do, you are no longer credible. And word gets around.
- There are 105 legislators, 350 registered lobbyists, many state agency staff people, and countless constituents. There are over 1000 bills a year introduced, and legislators are expected to understand all of them. Bills you might deem important may not seem important to the lobbyists and constituents vying for time with a legislator. In other words, legislators are busy, dedicated, and pressed for time.
Here are the basic ways to communicate with legislators:
TELEPHONE CALLS: During the legislative session, you can call the Legislature and have a message delivered to your legislators. You will be asked to provide your name and contact information. Here are the phone numbers to use:
Local: 208-332-1000
Toll Free: 800-626-0471
Fax: 208-334-5397
Hearing Impaired: 800-626-0471
PERSONAL VISITS: During the legislative session, you are encouraged to visit your legislators in person at the Capitol. You can attend and participate in committee hearings. You can visit personally with your legislators. You can observe the House and Senate in action.
If you want to visit with a legislator, you can go to either the House or Senate lobby and the door keeper will have a page hand deliver a note to your legislator who will then come out to speak to you (time allowing).
LETTERS: You can send letters to your legislators. Do not count on a reply. They try their best, but, again, they are inundated with information and requests. They appreciate your input, and it will be considered. All the previous tips about respect, honesty, apply.
(Name)
Idaho State Legislature
State Capitol Building
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, Idaho
83720-0038 (House)
83720-0081 (Senate)
All mail must contain your name and address or phone number
E-MAILS: The Legislature has a website which allows you to e-mail your legislators directly. Once you know who your legislator is, you can select them by name at the following web address:
http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/about/contactbyname.cfm
Or contact them by district at the following web address:
http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/about/contactbydistrict.cfm
You will be required to provide contact information when you e-mail them. Again, the previous tips about contacting them apply!
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: If you would like to support Boise State by submitting letters to the editor in your local newspapers, the Alumni Association can assist you in providing information for your letter.
