LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY

Partnering with Your Legislators to Improve Election Integrity

• Preparation1

• Professionalism2

• Partnership3

Legislative Advocacy Education

‘Fraud-Friendly’ Election Laws & Procedures

• Same Day Registration

• No verification of citizenship at time of registration (or when issuing driver’s licenses)

• No verification of address at time of registration (or when issuing driver’s licenses)

• Failure to cross-reference state voter rolls with other states

• Not requiring photo voter identification at the polls and with absentee ballots

• “No excuse” voting by mail or universal voting by mail

• Unsolicited mailing of absentee ballots

• Laws that MAY be followed (optional) rather than SHALL be followed (mandatory)

Outline Possible SolutionsOutline possible solutions or revisions to current statutes

Get input from Local and State Elections officials

Check legislative records to see if similar changes have been proposed in past

Research similar legislation/statutes in other States

Make a list of voter fraud/election integrity issues

Cross-reference with current State Election statues and federal election law, where applicable.

Outline Possible SolutionsResearch and prepare written summaries of each targeted

legislative issue

Current Election code pertaining to the issue

Specific Voter Fraud/Election Integrity problem(s)

Proposed legislative solution(s) – be specific

Include specific examples, references, and sample legislative language from other States’ statutes or legislative advisors

Prioritize legislative issues based on potential impact and

likelihood of passage.

Based on your available resources, narrow your focus

to the issues you can effectively advocate.

Prepare a summary of legislative recommendations to

share with representatives at the beginning of the session.

State Legislature Websites

The Legislative Process

Your Representative

s

Information on Bills

State legislature’s websites house a goldmine of information. Find your state’s website at

www.truethevote.org, click on ‘In Your State’ then choose your state for access to various resources.

Use Your State Legislature’s Website

Meet Your Legislators

Action Notes/TipsFind a Directory of State Legislators

Make note of leadership of both chambers, Committee Chairs and members

Meet your State Senator, House/Assembly Member & Staff

A constituent always has the most influence with their legislators

Build & Maintain Relationships

Find like-minded legislators who may be willing to sponsor your proposed legislation and champion election integrity causes

What You Need to Know…

Schedule

• When does Legislature meet? • What are timetables and deadlines

for bills to be submitted, considered, and approved?

Committees

• Which have jurisdiction over elections laws?

• Who are Chairs/Members?

Leadership• Who sets the agenda?

Legislation• How does a bill become a law?

Identify & Recruit Bill Sponsors

Determine which legislators may be most supportive of your goals

Make appointments to meet with legislators • Get to know STAFF• Bring printed materials to leave behind• FOLLOW UP with all people you speak with

Offer legislators a PARTNERSHIP to achieve the goal of improving election integrity

• Be prepared to provide research• Support proposed legislation by testifying at

Committee hearings• Mobilize citizens to contact legislators to generate

awareness and media coverage

Testify at Committee Hearings

Committees are where bills live or die – many bills don’t make it out of committee.

Know hearing dates/times/locations, procedure for getting on witness list, time limits, # of handout copies

Prepare notes for your oral testimony

Be professional and concise

Anticipate the opposition

Follow up with committee members immediately following hearings

Take advantage of all opportunities to influence legislation…

Be a positive force for change Be a resource for legislators & staff Provide research Testify Offer evidence and new information Stay focused on your elections-related

legislative agenda Keep your organization informed & engaged

You Have Influence!

Type your question into the GoTo Webinar box.