Working with Your Legislator
Lobbying legislators on bills that have already been filed can be effective, but it is far easier to make changes before bills are formally introduced. For that reason, it is imperative that VEBA members, especially those active on the Legislative Committee, get to know their delegates and senators and remain in contact with them throughout the year, not just during the annual session, and ask them to contact you for input to any election legislation they want to propose.
It is also important to cultivate relationships with the legislative aides as well as the members themselves. Contact information numbers for elected officials are readily available on their websites.
You can start to communicate with those members who are running unopposed or who are expected to win their election even before the election. As soon as the election is complete please try to develop a relationship with all of your legislators and start to discuss the VEBA legislative proposal which is to extend the deadline for submission of abstracts from 7 to 10 days. See General Legislation.
Try to meet your Delegate and Senator in person at a local event and introduce yourself as both a constituent and as an electoral board member active in VEBA. Be prepared to explain the role of electoral boards, their responsibilities, and how board members are appointed.
Legislative Talking Points
- Increasing our presence with legislators.
- Gaining respect and recognition as election administrators.
- Understanding the dynamics of the General Assembly.
- Advocating for legislation that VEBA supports in the name of operational improvements.
Legislative Etiquette
- Speak for yourself.
- Be mindful of General Assembly dynamics and our commitment to non-partisanship as we direct free and fair elections.
Preparation
- Learn what you can about your representatives. Legislator’s biographies can be found at Virginia General Assembly | Your Portal to the Commonwealth’s State Legislature.
- Study committee assignments (using lis.virginia.gov) with a special emphasis on learning about the members who serve on the committees.
- Look up legislation your legislators have sponsored.
- Know the name of their legislative aide/staff.
- Look at their social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn).
- Be sure to sign up for any email updates list that will keep you informed.
Some conversation starters
- Thank them for meeting with you, acknowledge how valuable their time is, and express your appreciation for them taking a few minutes for you.
- Connect yourself to them and to your community. Mention your position/tenure on your Electoral Board.
- Explain any challenges as personal experience and include mentioning VEBA’s desire to negotiating solutions that fit statewide.
- Ask them about their key priorities for this session, especially as it relates to elections.
Engaging Legislators
- Manners, style and attitude are important. Understand your environment.
- Know them before you need them. Introduce yourself and build trust.
- Be the humble expert.
- Engage early.
- Follow up with a thank you note or email.
- Respect and nurture your relationship with them. Remember they are all human. Manners, style and attitude are important.