Developing Relationships with your Elected Officials Doria Panvini, Public Policy Committee Chair Carrie Hobbs Guiden, Executive Director

A Critical First Step: Voting

Voting Dates 2018 May 1 – County primaries and Local Elections last day to register to vote – April 2 August 2- State and Federal Primaries and County General Elections last day to register to vote – July 3 November 6- State and Federal Elections last day to register to vote – October 9

Voting is… A RIGHT: As a citizen in the United States who is over 18 years old, you have the right to vote. When you vote you help elect the people who make the laws that affect your life. A RESPONSIBILITY: There are many issues that affect people with disabilities. All voters have a responsibility to know what they want to vote for. Educate yourself about issues that are important to you. Read newspapers, watch the news, and search the internet to learn about candidates and issues you are interested in.

FAQs About Voting Can I register to vote? Yes, if... You are a Tennessee resident You are a United States citizen You are 18 or older A court has not removed your voting rights Where can I register to vote? Government agencies like the library, Vocational Rehabilitation, or the post office. Mail-in registration forms are also available online at the TN Secretary of State’s website. When can I register to vote? At any time, however, your registration must be completed and submitted at least 30 days before voting in an election. How do I know if I am registered? You will get a voter registration card in the mail. If you do not, contact your local county election commission.

More FAQs About Voting Where can I vote? Your polling place should be listed on your voter registration card. Contact your election commission office with questions. When can I vote? Election day During Early voting—before the election. Your local election commission office can tell you where you can early vote. What if my polling site is not accessible? DRT works with state and local officials to ensure that the voting process, including poll sites are accessible for all voters. All poll sites must have at least one accessible machine. If you have issues with accessing the voting process or your poll site call DRT for assistance. What if I need help to vote? You can choose someone to help you with voting or ask a poll worker at the site to help you.

Remember… If you choose to NOT exercise your right to vote, DO NOT complain about your elected officials or the laws they pass! Voting gives us the power to put people into office that will support issues important to people with disabilities and their families! Legislators will check to see if you voted prior to meeting with you – they cannot tell HOW you voted, but they will know if you did or not

The Voter’s Role in Advocacy

Your Role in Legislative Advocacy – Getting to Know Your Elected Officials Develop a relationship with your legislators by… Making appointments to meet with them in person and share issues of importance to you Make phone calls to share your concerns Send letters or emails to share your concerns When they vote in a way that supports your concerns, be sure to thank them When they vote in a way that does not support your concerns, voice your disappointment

Tips for Effective In-Person Meetings Most meetings with your state elected representatives are 15 minutes or less Most meetings with your federally elected officials are 30 minutes or less (and may be with staff) Be on time – but understand that they are often behind schedule and you may have to wait Stick to one or two issues of importance to you Use a combination of data and personal stories Share how a particular issue impacts you or your family Leave behind something with your contact information and information about the issues you discussed

Tips for Effective Phone Calls Most phone calls are with the elected official’s staff Phone calls are most effective for voicing support or opposition for a piece of legislation State your name, your city of residence, and that you are a constituent State the particular bill number you are calling about (e.g. Senate Bill 1176), whether you support or oppose it and 1-2 quick sentences why

Tips for Effective Emails Address the elected official by his/her name (e.g. Representative Bob Ramsey or Representative Ramsey) State your name, city and that you are a constituent Share your issue in 1-3 succinct sentences Share how the issue impacts you or your family member Share data (if possible) on how it impacts others Share an idea for addressing the issue (if you have one) or if there is legislation addressing the issue be sure to mention it

Tips for Interacting with Legislators Remember that elected officials work for you and they want to hear what is important to you Remember that they are people…just like you It is important to contact your elected officials on a regular basis so that they get to know you Remember that elected officials are not experts in every aspect of government or programs – for many, there is a learning curve around the needs of people with disabilities, including intellectual and developmental disabilities

Tips for Interacting with Legislators Continued… To find out who your legislators are, go to http://www.capitol.tn.gov/legislators/ Always treat legislators with respect When writing or speaking with them, use a combination of facts with personal stories After meeting with your legislator, leave behind documentation that explains your issue, along with a way to contact you Become a resource for them – offer to review legislation on disability issues that relate to you or to share your story with others Ask if there is anything else you can do for them

Don’t Underestimate the Importance of the Legislative Staff Developing relationships with the legislative staff is important too The staff are the “gatekeepers” to the legislators – they read and respond to emails, answer the phones, and schedule the appointments for them – basically coordinate their lives Be sure to thank the staff when they go out of their way for you At the federal level, you will most often be meeting with staff and NOT the elected official

Not “One and Done” Developing a relationship with your legislators takes time Legislators may meet with 24 or more people a day discussing as many different issues Legislators receives hundreds, sometimes thousands of emails a day You need to contact them routinely in a variety of ways – in person, by email, by phone Over time, they will connect the names and faces and may turn to you for input

What is your role? Are you a: Constituent Advocate/Educator Lobbyist

Constituent As a Constituent when you contact your legislators, you can: Explain why an issue or bill is important to you Ask your legislators to support or oppose a bill Support candidates in your district with contributions, by working for his or her campaign and by displaying campaign materials.

Advocate/Educator You are an Advocate/Educator when you represent a non-profit organization or meet with legislators outside your district You can educate on the issues, but not ask specifically to support or oppose or to vote “yes” or “no” Note: Non-profit organizations can not support or oppose a candidate or contribute to a campaign.

Lobbyist A lobbyist is registered with the Secretary of State as representative of a specific organization or business. Lobbyists may be paid or volunteer. Lobbyists can educate on the issues and ask the legislators for their vote for or against the issue. Lobbyists cannot financially contribute to campaigns

Questions? Carrie Hobbs Guiden Executive Director cguiden@thearctn.org Doria Panvini Public Policy Committee Chair dpanvini@Comcast.net