1. Before starting your letter, ask yourself the purpose of the letter.
2. Once you establish your purpose, determine whom else, if any, needs to be CC:d on the letter. For example, if you are writing a Governor about Clean Air violations in your city, do other officials need to be copied? Or do you need to copy your State Legislator on the issue and your City’s Mayor?
3. After you have that sorted out, you are ready to write your letter!
Key Components of the Letter (If you have letterhead, then use it!)
Addressing the Letter
Letters to your representatives should be (e-) mailed to one of two locations:
* the representatives home address; or
* the representatives Washington/State House address.
To the U.S. House of Representatives
The Honorable (Use full name)
US. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Congressman or Congresswoman (Use last name)
To the U.S. Senate
The Honorable (Use full name)
US. Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator (Use last name)
To Your Local Legislator(s)
State Representative
The Honorable (Use full name)
1007 East Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50319
Dear Representative (Use last name)
State Senator
The Honorable (Use full name)
1007 East Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50319
Dear Senator (Use last name)