Most state legislators have an office in their home district where they welcome visits and phone calls from constituents. These “home district offices” often have staff persons who can provide services and information for you.
You can call that office to find out about the status of a bill, as well as to convey your opinions. When the General Assembly is in session, you may call senators and representatives at their office at the Capitol in Sacramento. Most legislators must be reached at their home district office on Fridays and weekends when the legislature is in session.
Following are recommendations for making phone calls to legislators:
Identify yourself by name, address and home town within the legislator’s district.
Identify the bill or issue by name and number.
Briefly state your position on the bill or issue, and how you would like your legislator to vote.
Ask for your legislator’s view on the bill or issue; be firm in obtaining a commitment to vote.
Show appreciation for his/her service or past votes. Be positive. Do not be abusive and do not threaten your legislator.
If the legislature is in session, your assemblymember or senator may be at his/her desk on the floor of the chamber. The legislator’s secretary or aide may take a message for you in a phone call. When talking to a secretary or legislative aide: identify yourself by name, address, and hometown; identify the bill by name and number; and state how you would like your legislator to vote.
Remember to keep phone calls as brief and to-the-point as possible.
Respect the legislator’s busy schedule and be as courteous as if you were visiting in person.
For your legislator’s Capitol office phone number, go to Legislative Information
