Letter Writing to Elected Officials
A personal letter or e-mail message to an elected official is an easy, inexpensive form of advocacy. And best of all it’s effective. Elected officials read letters from their constituents and they answer them. Sometimes just one letter can help an elected official decide what to do.
Addressees, Forms of Address and Salutations for writing a letter to Key Elected Officials:
To a Senator:
The Honorable (full name)
United States Senate
Address
Washington DC 20510
Dear Senator (last name)
To a President:
The Honorable (full name)
President of the United States
The White House
Dear Mr./Madam President:
To a State Senator:
The Honorable (full name)
State Senate
State Capitol
P. O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514
Dear Senator (last Name):
To a Mayor:
The Honorable (full name)
Mayor of (city)
Dear Mayor (last name) :
To a Representative:
The Honorable (full name)
United States House of Representatives
Address
Washington DC 20515
Dear Congressman/woman (last name)
To a Governor:
The Honorable (full name)
Governor of (state)
Address
Dear Governor (last name):
To a State Representative
The Honorable (full name)
State Representative
State Capitol
P. O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 49909-7514
Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. (last name):
To a City Council Official
Dear City Councilman (last name)
Dear Mr/s. (last name)
Some letter writing tips from several authoritative sources:
- Address the elected official properly in the letter;
- Your purpose should be stated in the first paragraph of your letter;
- Be courteous, to the point and include key information;
- Limit your correspondence to one topic and, if possible, limit the length to one page.
- Be knowledgeable about the subject and give reasons for your position;
- Always include your last name and address on the letter itself in order to get a response;
- Time the arrival of your letter to make it have a difference.
Important Links
State: Michigan State Government
Federal: ‘Thomas’ Federal Website