Table of Contents

Voter Advocacy 

Introduction 

YOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE. True enough, but elections are infrequent. Between elections, citizens can make their voices heard through issue advocacy. Even people who are not eligible to vote can engage in advocacy to promote their views on government policy issues.

Advocacy vs. Lobbying

Advocacy is a broader concept than lobbying. Advocacy includes many forms of communicating an organization’s or individual’s goals and opinions on issues. While lobbying can be part of an advocacy strategy, advocacy does not necessarily include lobbying.

Lobbying is the act of talking to elected officials or their staff about existing or potential legislation and urging a vote for or against it. Lobbying provides legislators with direct access to information about how particular proposed legislation might affect their constituents – the people who live, work, and vote in their districts. The law that nonprofit organizations operate under, Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3), spells out the legal distinctions.

League History

From its inception in 1920, the League of Women Voters has been an activist, grassroots organization that encourages citizens to advocate for better government and public policies that serve the common good. This is reflected in the League’s mission to empower voters and defend democracy. 

The League is proud to be nonpartisan, neither supporting nor opposing candidates or political parties at any level of government, but always defending voter rights and working on vital public issues.

The process used in formulating positions on public policy issues and in taking action at the grassroots level sets the League apart from other organizations. The League of Women Voters determines what to prioritize through consensus, or agreement amongst league members.

Consensus is the foundation for the grassroots character and the success of the League of Women Voters. The fact that we are members not only of a local League, but also of a state league and the League of Women Voters of the United States makes us a powerful force for grassroots lobbying. A vote of the membership determines advocacy priorities at the local League level.

League positions are published in a book titled Impact on Issues: A Guide to Public Policy Positions. To follow and understand the LWVGA and the LWVUS’s current positions, please locate the “Issues” and “About Us” tabs on each League site respectively.

Advocacy Checklist

Process for Citizen Advocacy

1. Identify a public policy issue
2. Identify goal(s):

1. Raise awareness? Audience?
2. Change a law or government policy? Which level of government or which governing body?
3. Motivate citizens to change behavior?

3. Strategy considerations

Options for Taking Action

• Statements at public hearings.
• Letters to editors.
• Organize grassroots lobbying (letters/emails, phone calls, in-person visits) (online petitions are not effective).
• Public forum to educate the community about an issue.
• Press releases/press coverage of newsworthy events.
• Social media outreach.

Factors an Organization Should Consider When Contemplating Action on an Issue

• Do our members understand the issue and would they agree with the proposed action?
• Is it a priority for the organization?
• Does our organization have a unique role to play, or would our time and money be better spent on other activities?
• How will we deal with controversy?
• Does the action have some chance of success or make an important statement for the organization?
• Are other organizations or a coalition already working on the issue?
• What action techniques would be most effective?
• How can individuals be involved in the proposed action?

Strength in Numbers: Working with Coalitions

There are advantages to working with others on a specific issue – for sponsoring meetings/events, researching an issue or producing informative materials, organizing marches, and public advocacy. Those who are interested in issue advocacy should consider joining an organization. Additionally, established organizations could consider joining (or forming) a coalition.

Factors to Consider When Joining a Coalition

1. Is there a clearly defined goal, and is it consistent with our positions and mission?
2. Which organizations are involved? Who is their leadership? Is the organization nonpartisan (if that is important)? Is the coalition permanent or ad hoc?
3. What do we have to gain from belonging? Can we work more effectively by staying outside of the coalition while publicly supporting its goals and actions?
4. Would we have a representative on the coalition and have a say in strategies and the use of our name/logo?
5. Is there any financial obligation?

Overview of the State Legislative Process

Legislative Basics

• Three Branches of State Government

• Executive (Governor and other constitutional officers),
• Judicial (GA Supreme Court), and
• Legislative (GA Legislature)

• Two houses of the GA Legislature: State Senate and State House
• State Senate with 56 Senators, serving two-year terms  
• State House with 180 State Representatives, serving two-year terms  
• Everyone has one Senator and one House Representative
• To learn who represents you visit My Voter Page or call your local County Board of Elections.

Organization of the Legislature

• Operates on a 2-year or biennial basis.
• Elections are held in November of even years.
• Legislators take office in January of odd years.
• The state legislature meets on designated legislative days to debate, discuss, and make decisions about laws and bills.
• The 28th legislative day is termed Crossover Day which is the deadline for a bill to pass from its originating chamber.  Any bills that do not “crossover” cannot be considered by the opposite chamber for the rest of the session.  
• The 40th and last day of each legislative session is termed Sine Die or “without assigning a day for further meeting.” This is the deadline for each chamber of the legislature to give final passage of any bills.
• After the General Assembly adjourns Sine Die, the governor has a total of 40 days to sign or veto any legislation that has passed through the General Assembly.

Legislative Service Agencies

• Legislative Fiscal Office
• Legislative Counsel
• Reapportionment & Redistricting Office

Bills

Bills are labeled either HB or SB, depending on whether the bill is introduced in the House or Senate. There are also resolutions labeled HR and SR. All bills will have an LC, Legislative Counsel, number to track different versions as the bill or resolution goes through the process.

Only a legislator can introduce a bill or sponsor it. The Legislative Counsel can assist members and committees with writing bills and drafting amendments.

Many bills will list an effective date. If no effective date is listed it will be July 1 of the respective year.

Bills may be amended with simple amendments such as Amendment 1 to SB 56, or they may be amended with a substitute amendment which is a complete replacement of the bill—Substitute SB 56.

Sponsors

Members of the originating chamber who are sponsoring or co-sponsoring a bill are listed.  Up to six first signers will be listed.

If the bill will have a fiscal effect (change in costs or revenues), the sponsoring member or committee members can ask for a fiscal note to be provided.

Legislative Process

1. The legislator(s) circulate a draft bill to members of the House or  Senate asking them to sign on as co-sponsors of the bill.
2. The bill is introduced, given a bill number, and referred to a committee by the House Speaker or Lt. Governor depending on the chamber of origin.
3. If that Committee’s Chair decides to do so, a public hearing is scheduled. People and organizations can speak or register in favor, in opposition, or for information only. Again, if the Chair decides to do so, a vote can be held on the bill and any related amendments.
4. If the Committee approves the bill, it is referred to the Rules Committee. The Rules Committee schedules some bills for floor action.
5. Bills approved by the first chamber must be approved (including bill number) by the second chamber.
6. When legislative action is complete, it is sent to the Governor for signature or veto.

Points for Influence/Decision-Making

1. Request that legislators introduce a bill and provide information and research to support the provisions requested.
2. Ask legislators to co-sponsor a bill. It is extremely important to have a bipartisan group of sponsors as well as a good geographical cross-section of the state beyond Metro Atlanta. Almost no bill will pass without prime authorship by a legislator from the majority party.
3. Ask that a favorable committee receive the bill referral.
4. Attend public hearings: support or oppose the bill, and request amendments.
5. Influence committee votes on both the bill and any amendments.
6. Ask the Committee on rules to schedule the bill.
7. Advocate for or against the bill and any amendments on the floor.
8. Utilize the same processes and points of influence in the second house.
9. Urge the Governor to sign or veto the bill or line-item veto portions of bills with appropriations.

Strategies for Influence

The degree of influence increases with the amount of thought and effort put into the communication and the degree of personal contact with the legislator. Communications can be to ask a legislator to support or oppose a bill or amendment or can request that the legislator sponsor or co-sponsor a bill.

Strategies

1. Petitions: Serve as a way to express concerns, but their impact may vary.
2. Letter or email: A thoughtful letter or email can be persuasive and impactful. Stick to one issue per communication, and the letter or email should be no longer than one page. Explain your reasoning, and use personal examples, if possible. Cite research. Include your residential street address in emails and letters to identify you as a constituent. Tell them what action you would like them to take.
3. Meetings: Request meetings with the legislator either in your district or at the Capitol. If you are a Senator’s/Representative’s constituent, you should be able to have a meeting with him/her. You may have to meet with their staff who can be exceedingly knowledgeable and helpful. If you bring a group, ensure that at least some are constituents. If you do not know the answer to a question, do not guess or lie. Tell them you will follow up with the requested information, and do so. Send a thank you note following the meeting reiterating your points.
4. Public Hearings: Testimony can be delivered orally or submitted on paper. You can speak in favor, against, or for information only. Provide your remarks in writing if you are testifying.
5. In all communications, be polite and respectful. Do not make demands or threaten. You may ask a legislator his/her position on an issue, but they may be undecided until they can read the actual bill and know the content of any amendments.
6. Media Coverage: Utilizing print and digital media such as news articles, letters to the editor, newspaper editorials, and social media is a good way to share concerns about an issue. However, much like petitions, the impact may vary.

Effective Contact with Lawmakers

• Identify yourself and give your home address when phoning or writing.
• Describe the issue or bill that concerns you.
• Refer to the bill number, if possible.
• Tell the legislator what action you want.
• Mention any special credentials you have.
• State key reasons for your views.
• Put a human face on the issue by sharing personal experiences.
• Counter arguments the opposition is using, if possible.
• If you make a mistake, correct it immediately.
• Limit writing to one issue or bill.
• Be brief.
• Be courteous.
• Ask for a reply (optional).

Voter Advocacy Resources 

The following links are extremely useful for using advocacy resources and for up-to-date information on the status of public policy issues of interest.