Cecily Zamora
Changing a law is no easy feat, but it is possible. The first step is to identify the issue you're passionate about, then determine the level of government responsible for the law—local, state, or national. Once you know this, you can start reaching out to the relevant legislators, be it a local councilman or a Senator, to discuss your idea. You can contact them by phone, email, or snail mail, and if your idea is complex, you may want to request a meeting. If you're looking to change a local law, you'll need support from someone in the city government, so it's worth attending community meetings and doing your research on the mayor and council members. Changing a law can take a long time and may require several attempts, but it's important to persevere and keep trying to build support for your cause.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Difficulty level | Easier to change local or state laws than federal laws |
| Level of government | Local, state, or national |
| People to contact | Local assemblyman, state house representative, state senator, local councilman, alderman, supervisor, mayor, county executive, Senator, Congressman |
| Action to take | Write a draft of the law, enlist support of legislators, file a referendum, attend community meetings, propose a petition |
| Time taken | Can take a long time |
| Outcome | Law may come up for a vote but fail, requiring further action |
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What You'll Learn
Local laws are easier to change than federal laws
Local laws are much easier to change than federal laws. Local governments are smaller and more responsive to their communities, which means that equitable change can be more easily achieved at the local level. Local governments necessarily include fewer people, and because you are one of those people, your voice can make a difference in a way that it can't among the millions on a state or national level.
If you want to change a local law, the first step is to learn how city government works. Towns and cities have different governing structures, so if you’re working on changing a local law, you need to figure out how yours works. Most have a mayor and some kind of city council. If you don’t want to approach the mayor directly, you can choose the council member from your district or one you think will be sympathetic to your cause.
You can also contact a legislator by phone, email, or snail mail. If your idea is very complex, it might be better to ask for a meeting to talk through your thoughts. Legislators can only request new bills during the fall of each year, so if you have a big new idea, you might have to wait many months before it becomes a reality. After legislators file bill requests, they work with legislative staff who draft the exact bill text. Bills are then introduced in January, at which point public hearings and votes begin. If your idea is related to a bill that is already going through the legislative process, your legislator might be able to introduce your idea as an amendment to that bill.
If a legislator introduces your bill, you should follow its progress through the Legislature. You can also show up at public hearings to voice support for your bill, contact your elected officials and urge them to vote for the bill, and write a letter to the editor raising awareness of your bill.
Keep in mind that changing a law can take a long time. It also might be that your law comes up for a vote but fails. In that case, you will need to do more work in talking to the city council and mayor, trying to get it heard and voted on again, this time with adequate support.
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Identify the level of government responsible for the law
In the United States, the federal government, state governments, and local governments all have different responsibilities when it comes to lawmaking. The federal government is responsible for laws that apply across the country, while state and local governments handle laws specific to their respective states and communities.
The federal government is the highest level of government and has the power to make laws that apply throughout the nation. Congress is the branch of the federal government responsible for creating and passing laws. It consists of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Both chambers play a crucial role in the legislative process, with the House initiating tax and revenue-related legislation and the Senate handling presidential nominations and treaties. A bill, or a proposal for a new law, can be introduced by a member of Congress, during their election campaign, or through a petition by citizens or groups. Once a bill is introduced, it is assigned to a committee for review, discussion, and potential amendments. If a bill passes through Congress, it goes to the President for approval. The President can choose to veto the bill, but Congress can override the veto and pass the bill into law.
State governments have their own constitutions and legislative processes, which often mirror the federal structure. Each state, except Nebraska, has a bicameral legislature with an upper house (Senate) and a lower house (House of Representatives, Assembly, or House of Delegates). These two chambers collaborate to create and amend state laws. While the state legislative process varies, it generally involves proposing bills, committee reviews, debates, and votes. State governments handle a range of issues, including police departments, education, and driver's licenses.
Local governments, including municipalities such as cities, towns, and villages, have their power granted by the state. They are responsible for laws and services specific to their communities, such as parks and recreation, local police and fire departments, housing, transportation, and public works. Local governments typically have a mayor and a city council that play a crucial role in shaping local laws and policies.
When seeking to change a law, it is essential to identify the level of government responsible. This determination will guide your efforts in engaging with the appropriate lawmakers, be they senators, representatives, mayors, or council members. Understanding the specific government structure and legislative process at each level is crucial for effectively navigating the law-changing process.
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Contact legislators by phone, email, or mail
Contacting legislators is a great way to get your opinion heard and to make a difference. It's easier to change local or state laws than federal ones, so consider starting with your local government representatives.
First, find out who your legislator is. You can do this by searching for your address or using an interactive map. Once you know their name, you can find their contact information on the relevant government website.
Different legislators have different preferences for being contacted, so there is no right or wrong way to reach out. You can contact them by phone, email, or postal mail. If your idea is complex, you may want to request a meeting to discuss it in detail. Legislators can only request new bills during the fall, so keep that in mind when reaching out.
When contacting your legislator, be prepared and professional. If you are proposing a new law, consider writing a draft yourself. You may also want to enlist the support of a state or national legislator, such as a senator or congressman. It's a good idea to research the types of laws they have promoted in the past and see if your proposal aligns with their interests.
If you are unable to file a referendum, attend community meetings to bring up your issue with local lawmakers. You can also show up at public hearings to voice support for your proposed law and urge officials to vote for it. Changing a law can take a long time, and it may require persistence and multiple attempts.
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Draft the law yourself or with legislator support
Changing a law is no small feat, but it is possible. The first step is to identify an issue that you are passionate about. This could be something small, like encouraging people to clean up after their pets, or something larger, like removing the sales tax on groceries in your state. Once you have identified your issue, you need to determine which level of government is responsible for the law. If it is a national law, you may need the support of a Senator or Congressman. If it is a local law, you will need support from someone in the city government, such as the mayor or a council member.
The next step is to draft the law yourself or with the support of a legislator. If you choose to draft the law yourself, you must be very careful and precise in your language. The wording of a law can have major practical consequences, so it is important to choose the right words. It is also important to be aware of the laws and legal systems of other jurisdictions, as they may not apply in your area. Once you have a draft, you can reach out to a legislator by phone, email, or snail mail to ask for their support. If your idea is complex, it may be better to ask for a meeting to discuss it in detail.
Legislators can only request new bills during the fall of each year, so you may have to wait several months for your idea to be considered. If a legislator agrees to support your idea, they will file a bill request and work with legislative staff to draft the exact bill text. Bills are then introduced in January, at which point public hearings and votes will begin. You can show up at these hearings to voice your support for the bill and contact elected officials to urge them to vote in favor of it.
If your idea is related to a bill that is already going through the legislative process, a legislator may be able to introduce it as an amendment to that bill. However, there are rules about bill amendments, so this may not always be possible. It is important to be patient and persistent throughout this process, as changing a law can take a long time and may require multiple attempts.
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File petitions and attend community meetings
Petitions are one of the most powerful and effective tools of activism. They give you the chance to build support for your cause and win. When creating a petition, you should include a memorable headline, a compelling image, and strong storytelling. You can put your petition on social media, local bulletin boards, and local radio stations to gain support. You can also craft a press release and get interviews with journalists to tell your story. The more signatures you get, the more likely it is that the government will listen and make the change you want to see.
If your state allows it, you can file an initiative or referendum. In this process, you file your intention to have the law on the ballot, collect signatures, and then file the petition with the signatures with the law. The attorney general will then review it, write the title of the measure, and put it on the next state ballot. In most states, however, it is not that easy. You may need to collect 1,000+ signatures of registered state voters on the petition.
If you can't file a referendum, you can go to community meetings to bring up your issue with local lawmakers. Check with your city to see when there are meetings for constituents to raise issues. Usually, you will have a limited time to speak, so be prepared and professional. You might have to go to many meetings before people take you seriously, but this is an important step. Research the mayor and council members to see what kinds of laws they have promoted in the past and if yours might fit in. If you are trying to change a local law, you will need support from someone in the city government.
After you have presented your law and anything else that was asked for (like a petition), you have to wait and see what happens. The city council might choose to vote on your idea soon, or it might have to wait. Keep in mind that changing a law can take a long time. If your law doesn't go anywhere the first time, you can try again. Think about getting the media involved, having meetings specifically about the issue, and putting up signs to raise consciousness about the idea.
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Frequently asked questions
Changing a law can be done in several ways, depending on the level of government responsible for it. You can start by identifying the level of government responsible for the law—national, state, or local—and then enlisting the help of the appropriate representative, such as a Senator, Congressman, or local assemblyman. You might also need to draft the law yourself or seek their support. Additionally, you can attend community meetings, meet with lawmakers, and raise awareness for your cause.
To change a national law, you can enlist the help of a Senator or Congressman. You can contact them by phone, email, or snail mail, and if your idea is complex, you can request a meeting to discuss it further. Legislators can only request new bills during the fall, and after filing, they work with legislative staff to draft the bill. The bills are introduced in January, followed by public hearings and votes.
For changing a state law, you can reach out to a local assemblyman, state house representative, or state senator. They can guide you on the specific process for your state, as it may vary. Some states allow citizens to file local or state referendums, while others do not.
Changing a local law often involves engaging with the city government, which typically includes a mayor and a city council. You can attend community meetings, meet with your chosen council member, and build support for your cause. It's also important to research the mayor and council members' backgrounds and align your proposal with their interests.
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