IRVforTexas has put together some tips and suggestions that will make it easier for you to effectively advocate for instant runoff voting. Please use these resources to contact your elected officials, local newspapers, and social media audience as we advocate for instant runoff voting.
Build Relationships with Your State Legislators
The Texas legislature meets for only 140 days every other year. Lawmakers are most open to hear from their constituents either 1) in their home district offices between sessions, or 2) while in session at the Capitol or in their home district offices between sessions.
An election year offers a special opportunity because candidates, both incumbents and challengers, want to hear from you. Follow these 3 best practices for success:
1. Connect with Staffers
IRVforTexas grassroots advocates can take advantage of this openness to build a relationship with their legislators – specifically their staffers.
Getting to know a staffer is so important because they are the ones who study and evaluate legislation and its potential impact on voters before making a recommendation to the boss. Establishing and maintaining a sustained relationship with staff members can be more important to moving legislation than petitions or even fundraising.
2. Use Personal stories
Please remember to add a personal story to your email messages, letters, telephone calls, and social media posts to help illustrate why instant runoff voting matters so much to you.
3. Talk to All Your Representatives
For our nonpartisan agenda to have the best chance at success, we must engage with all legislators, not just the ones we like.
First, find your representative here. Second, use these resources and follow this three step process to make your meeting a success.
We hope these tools will be useful to you and help make your activism more effective. Click on each guide to learn how to make a difference.
Follow This Process to Get to Know Your Legislator
Step 1: Email Your Rep |
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Step 2: Call Your Rep to Schedule a Meet Up in Your District |
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Step 3: Gather Others and Meet with Your Rep |
 
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Guidelines for your correspondence or conversation
- Stick to one subject. Don’t dilute your main point by discussing multiple issues.
- Be brief. Limit your notes to one page.
- Include the specific bill number and title (if pertinent).
- Get personal. Describe how the legislation impacts you and your community.
- Be political. Explain the relevance of the issue to your hometown, district, or state.
- Ask for action.
- Be courteous and appreciative. A written “thank you” when deserved gets attention with elected officials. Follow the issue after you write and send a letter of thanks if your legislator votes your way.
- While personal communication is obviously best, any contact is worthwhile, even if you only have a minute to sign an electronic petition.
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