There must be 50 ways: Participating in democracy #6: Lobby your representative

Reach out to those who represent you at every level of our democracy. It's relatively easier, of course, in most cases to get an audience with a local official than a statewide officeholder and harder still to personally meet up with a federal elected official. But it's always doable, with planning. 

There are many paths to lobbying. In-person is the very best, letters or emails or phone calls are a bit less effective, but staffers compile counts on issues for and against. 

Stick to one issue per lobbying trip, letter, phone call, or email. Be clear on what you want your representative to do about that issue. "Vote against Senate Bill 437," for example. Give factual, documentable evidence, and keep it relatively brief.

You never know when a lobbying moment may materialize. The mayor is having lunch where you are too. Keep it civil; everyone deserves a private life, and it is poor form to lobby someone entertaining their children or taking their elderly grandmother to dinner. Lobbying in the halls of government buildings is different. They are at work and if you walk with them you may be able to have a brief moment. Have an "elevator pitch"--and not one that requires a stop at each of 54 floors to complete. That pitch may happen in the space of a 90-foot walk down a hall, or even on an actual elevator. Again, civility is crucial. Yelling, name-calling, identity slurs, and ad hominem attacks are ineffective; they make you look bad and they make your side of the issue look nasty and unattractive. 

If you are lobbying your representative and you don't know how they might vote, ask before you accuse. If they are going to vote your way, consider asking how you can help.