Changing Laws: Strategies For Impactful Legal Reform

Changing the law is no easy feat, but it is possible. The first step is to identify the law you want to change and the government body that created it—whether local, state, or national. Next, research legislators and reach out to them via phone, email, or snail mail. If your idea is complex, consider requesting a meeting to discuss it in detail. You can also start a petition, sharing a personal story to make your case for the change. Use striking images and put your petition on social media, bulletin boards, and local radio stations to gain support. Once you have some support, engage the lawmakers you researched and work with them to write a new bill.

How to Change the Law

Identify the law's origin: local, state, or national government

In the United States, laws can be federal, applying to everyone in the country, or they can be state or local laws, which apply to people who live or work in a particular state, commonwealth, territory, county, city, municipality, town, township, or village. Federal laws are made by Congress, the lawmaking branch of the federal government, which is made up of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Congress is responsible for creating national law and statutory law, subject to the limitations set in the Constitution, which is the highest legal authority in the country.

State laws, on the other hand, are made by the state legislatures, which are similar to the federal government but on a smaller scale, with legislative, executive, and judicial branches. All 50 states have legislatures made up of elected representatives who consider matters brought forth by the governor or introduced by its members to create legislation that becomes law. The legislature also approves the state's budget, initiates tax legislation, and can initiate articles of impeachment.

Local laws are made at the city, county, or municipal level, and these laws apply only to the specific area they are created for. For example, a city may have its own system of laws and courts that handle issues specific to that city.

It is important to note that while there are checks and balances between the branches of government at the state and local levels, federal law takes precedence when there is a conflict between federal and state law. Additionally, the District of Columbia, the nation's capital, has a local government supervised by Congress, and Puerto Rico and the U.S.'s four other island territories have their own governments but no ultimate sovereignty.

Research lawmakers and legislators to find the best person to work with

To change the law, it is important to research lawmakers and legislators to find the best person to work with. Here are some steps to guide you through this process:

Firstly, identify the specific issue or area of the law you want to address. This could be a particular bill, legislation, or a specific topic like agriculture or animal welfare. Knowing the status of the bill is crucial, as it determines your goal. For instance, if the bill is in committee, you might request specific amendments or push for it to proceed to a vote. Understanding the legislative process and the current landscape is essential for effective advocacy.

Next, identify the relevant lawmakers and legislators who have influence over your specific issue. This could include senators, representatives, state legislators, or members of specific committees. For example, if your concern is related to agriculture, you would want to target the legislators on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Nutrition.

Once you have identified the key individuals, research their backgrounds, priorities, and policy interests. Learn about their political party's priorities and any personal interests or passions they may have. This information can give you insight into how open they might be to your cause and how best to approach them.

Additionally, consider the influence of their staff members. Congressional staffers play a crucial role in developing legislation and advising legislators. Building relationships with staff members can be influential, as they have expertise in specific issues and are closely connected to the legislator. Remember, however, that discussing the legislator's campaign with staff is generally not advisable due to strict laws and ethical considerations.

Lastly, prepare your message and materials. Whether communicating with legislators or their staff, ensure your message is clear, concise, and accessible. Avoid using overly technical or issue-specific terminology unless you are certain they are experts in that field. A well-prepared one-pager with bullet points can effectively convey your key points and leave a lasting impression.

By following these steps, you can effectively research and engage with lawmakers and legislators, increasing the likelihood of success in advocating for changes to the law.

Contact legislators by phone, email, or mail

When contacting legislators by phone, email, or mail, it is important to first know who your legislator is and how to reach them. You can find this information on your state or territory's legislature website, usually listed under the legislator's name or on their profile page. Once you have their contact information, you can choose the best method to reach out and share your thoughts or concerns.

If you choose to call your legislator, be prepared to leave a concise voicemail if they are unavailable. Briefly introduce yourself and the reason for your call, including any specific legislation you are referring to. Provide your contact information and any relevant evidence that supports your position.

For email communication, use a clear and concise subject line that references the specific legislation or topic you are writing about. In the body of the email, introduce yourself and provide your contact information. Clearly state your position and support it with evidence or personal stories. Be respectful and polite in your language, and avoid attachments unless they are specifically requested.

When sending a letter by mail, address the envelope to your legislator's office and again, provide your contact information and a concise summary of your position, supported by evidence. If your idea is complex, you may want to request a meeting to discuss it in more detail. This can be mentioned in your letter or suggested as the next step after an initial email or phone call.

Regardless of the method you choose, it is important to be respectful and concise in your communication. Legislators receive a high volume of correspondence, so keeping your message focused and providing evidence or personal stories to support your position can help ensure your voice is heard and considered. Remember that your input can shape voting decisions and influence the issues your representative prioritises.

Craft a press release and get media attention

Changing the law can be a complex and lengthy process. It involves contacting legislators, understanding the legislative process, and building support for your proposed changes. A well-crafted press release can help you spread awareness and gain media attention for your cause. Here are some tips to help you craft an effective press release:

Understand Your Target Audience

Know the interests and preferences of the media outlets and journalists you're targeting. Tailor your press release to their specific needs and preferences to increase your chances of coverage.

Craft an Attention-Grabbing Headline

The headline is crucial as it's the first thing journalists will see. Make it catchy, indicative of your key message, and concise. Focus on the main takeaway and avoid using all capital letters or excessive exclamation points.

Include a Subheader or Lead

Use the subheader or lead to expand on your headline. Highlight the most impressive, informative, or curious aspects of your announcement. Remember to include the five Ws: what, who, when, where, and why.

Provide a Clear Dateline

Include the date and location of your announcement in the dateline. This helps establish relevance and provides basic information for journalists.

Incorporate Multimedia Assets

Visuals, standout numbers, new research, and expert quotes can enhance your press release and make it more appealing to journalists. They can also help convey the impact and reach of your announcement.

Build Relationships with Journalists

Don't just rely on sending out your press release. Develop relationships with key journalists who can help report your story. Utilize social media platforms like Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok to increase visibility and reach a wider audience.

By following these tips and understanding the legislative process, you can effectively use a press release to gain media attention and increase support for your efforts to change the law. Remember to be persistent and proactive in your efforts.

Create a petition and collect signatures

Petitions are a simple and effective advocacy tool. They can generate attention and momentum around an issue, increase public support, and pressure lawmakers to act. To create a petition, you should:

• Choose a clear and concise topic and target: Identify the situation you want to change and who has the power to make that change. For example, do you want your governor to sign or veto a bill, or do you want your state lawmakers to introduce specific legislation?
• Describe the problem and the desired solution: Clearly articulate the issue and the action you want the target to take. For instance, if you want to address the gender pay gap, you could advocate for state legislation to prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who disclose their wages.
• Keep the language simple and understandable: Ensure that both the signees and the targets of the petition comprehend its purpose and the change it seeks to achieve.
• Collect signatures: Utilize both online and offline methods to gather support. Share your petition via email, social media platforms, and face-to-face interactions in permitted public areas. Engage your community, friends, and family to build momentum. Obtain more than ten signatures to account for potential invalid entries, and collect the names, email addresses, and zip codes of all signers.
• Deliver the petition: Present the petition and the list of signatures to the relevant elected official, representative, or senator. Time your delivery when they are in your home district, and coordinate with their office or refer to their calendars to determine their availability.

Frequently asked questions