Gavin Howe
Laws are the cornerstone of any society, protecting our rights and helping us define right from wrong. However, when legislation is unfair or outdated, it is the right of citizens to demand change. While the process of changing a law varies depending on the level of government involved, there are several common strategies that can be employed. These include researching the law and its history, identifying the relevant lawmakers and their stance on the issue, gathering support through petitions and media attention, and directly engaging with lawmakers to propose changes or write new bills. In a democracy, the power to influence laws ultimately lies with the people, and understanding the legislative process empowers citizens to create positive change.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Level of government responsible for the law | Local, state or national government |
| People responsible for the law | Elected representatives, senators, congressman, state house representative, state senator, local councillor, supervisor, mayor, county executive |
| Number of signatures required | 1,000+ |
| Use of social media | Yes |
| Use of local bulletin boards | Yes |
| Use of local radio stations | Yes |
| Media attention | Yes |
| Press release | Yes |
| Interviews with journalists | Yes |
| Working with lawmakers | Yes |
| Letter-writing campaign | Yes |
| Use of images | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Anyone can change laws, not just politicians
Once you know which level of government is responsible, you can start building support for your cause. Share your personal story and choose an image that speaks to your desired change. Use social media, local bulletin boards, and even your local radio station to spread the word and collect signatures for your petition. The more people you have behind you, the more likely the government will be to listen.
If you're trying to change a state law and your state allows it, you can file an initiative or referendum. This involves filing your intention to have the law on the ballot, collecting 1,000+ signatures of registered state voters, and then filing the signatures along with the law for review by the attorney general. If your state doesn't allow citizens to write ballot measures, you'll need to enlist the help of your state representative or senator.
For local law changes, attend community meetings and speak to your local lawmakers about your issue. Research the mayor and council members to see if your proposed change aligns with their past promotions. If you think they might be sympathetic to your cause, set up a meeting and tell them about your efforts to get your voice heard. Remember, they work for you, so don't be afraid to reach out and make your voice heard!
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How to start and promote a petition
To start a petition, you must first identify the issue and the target. The target is the person who has the power to give you what you want, usually an elected official. For example, if you want a bill to be signed or vetoed, your target is the governor. If you want a law to be introduced on a specific issue, your target is your state lawmakers.
Once you have identified the issue and target, you can write the petition. Keep the language short and simple so that signees and targets understand what the petition seeks to achieve. Describe the problem and the solution, then include the action you want the target to take. A well-written petition should communicate the urgency of the problem and the need for action. The ideal length is one to three paragraphs.
Next, you can start to collect signatures. The more signatures you have, the more likely it is that the government will listen and make the change you want to see. You can collect signatures at events, meetings, and on social media. Both online and offline petitions are recommended so that you can collect signatures no matter where you are.
When delivering the petition, it is best to do so in person with a group of people rather than by mail or fax. This draws more attention to your issue. You can also post about your delivery on social media and include pictures and descriptions of the experience.
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How to work with lawmakers to change laws
Working with lawmakers to change laws requires careful planning and strategy. Here are some steps to guide you through the process:
Identify the Lawmakers
Firstly, identify the lawmakers who are responsible for the specific law you want to change. Determine whether it is a local, state, or national government issue. If it is a local ordinance, your city or town council will be responsible. For state laws, you need to approach your state legislature, while federal laws are changed through Congress. Research the lawmakers who represent you and understand their political stance to find the best person to support your cause.
Understand the Legislative Process
Learn about how laws are made and amended. In the US, a bill is a proposal for a new law or a change to an existing law. Bills can be proposed by members of the Senate or House of Representatives, or they can be petitioned by citizens who recommend changes to their representatives. Understanding this process will help you navigate the steps needed to change a law.
Build Support
Before approaching lawmakers, build support for your cause. Start a petition, collect signatures, and spread awareness through social media and local platforms. Share your personal story and the impact of the law on your life to evoke emotion and gain support. Utilize media attention and share your journey with journalists to build momentum.
Engage with Lawmakers
Once you have a solid backing, engage with the lawmakers you researched. If you face challenges in getting a meeting, organize letter-writing campaigns or encourage supporters to call their representatives. You can also leverage social media to get the attention of politicians. Work collaboratively with lawmakers to draft a new bill that incorporates the changes you seek. Remember, this process takes time, and you may need to follow up to keep your bill moving forward.
Attend Community Meetings
Participate in community meetings where you can directly interact with local lawmakers and raise your concerns. Be prepared, professional, and persistent, as it may take several meetings for your voice to be heard. Approach the mayor or a council member who you believe will be sympathetic to your cause.
Changing laws is a complex and time-consuming process, but by following these steps, you can effectively work with lawmakers to drive the change you want to see.
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The process of changing laws at different government levels
Changing laws at the local level
At the local level, a law can be changed through your city or town council. Towns and cities have different governing structures, so it's important to understand how your local government works. Most have a mayor and a city council, and some also have city managers and commissioners. To change a local law, you will need support from someone in the city government, so it is advisable to research the mayor and council members to see if your proposed change might fit with their previous policies. You can then reach out to them directly, or if you don't want to do that, you can choose a council member from your district or one who you think will be sympathetic to your cause. You can also attend community meetings to bring up your issue with local lawmakers.
Changing laws at the state level
State laws are changed through the state legislature. If you want to change a state law, you need to identify your state representative and senator and make contact with them. You can also file an initiative or referendum if your state allows it. This involves filing your intention to have the law on the ballot, collecting over 1,000 signatures of registered state voters on a petition, and then filing the signatures along with the law for review by the attorney general.
Changing laws at the federal level
Federal laws are changed through Congress, which is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The idea for a bill can come from a sitting member of the Senate or House of Representatives, or it can be proposed during their election campaign. Bills can also be petitioned by citizens or citizen groups who recommend a new or amended law to a member of Congress that represents them. Once a bill is introduced, it is assigned to a committee, which researches, discusses, and makes changes to it. It is then put before that chamber to be voted on. If the bill passes one body of Congress, it goes through a similar process in the other body. Once both bodies accept a bill, they must work out any differences between the two versions. If the president chooses to veto the bill, Congress can usually vote to override that veto, but if Congress is no longer in session when the veto happens, it is called a pocket veto, and the bill will not become a law.
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Using emotions and storytelling to gain support
Emotions and storytelling can be powerful tools for gaining support to change laws. When we hear a story, our brain releases dopamine and oxytocin, which are associated with pleasure and connection. This helps us feel closer to the characters and can make us feel understood by the storyteller. By sharing personal stories and experiences, you can inspire others to take action, spark change, and create a deeper connection with your audience.
When using emotion to tell a story, it is important to be mindful of ethical implications. While you want to evoke emotions in your audience, you should not manipulate or exploit their feelings for personal gain. Avoid preying on people's fears or insecurities, and do not sensationalize sensitive topics that could lead to further stigmatization or discrimination. Respect the privacy and dignity of those featured in your stories, and always verify your sources to avoid spreading misinformation.
To effectively use emotions and storytelling to gain support for changing laws, consider the following:
- Vivid Descriptions and Engaging Dialogue: Create powerful experiences for your audience by using vivid descriptions and engaging dialogue. This will help to activate multiple areas of their brains simultaneously, making the story more memorable and impactful.
- Relatable Characters: Craft characters that reflect the experiences and struggles of your target audience to foster an emotional connection. This will make your story more relatable and increase the chances of evoking specific emotions.
- Emotional Triggers: Use emotional triggers, such as words or phrases associated with particular emotions, to elicit an immediate response from your audience. This can help to create a sense of urgency and drive people to take action.
- Personal Stories: If there is a personal reason behind your desire to change a law, share your story. Making people feel the emotion and understand the real impact of the law can be a powerful way to gain their support.
- Visuals and Images: Choose a simple, striking image that conveys the emotion of your story and helps people understand why they should care about the issue. Visuals can often be more effective than text in evoking an emotional response.
- Build Empathy: By understanding the emotions of your audience and creating stories that resonate with them, you can build empathy and spark interest. This will help you gain support and potentially change hearts and minds.
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Frequently asked questions
Identify the level of government responsible for the law. If it's a county or town ordinance, seek out your local councillor, supervisor, mayor, or county executive. Attend community meetings and voice your concerns. You can also research and reach out to the relevant lawmakers to work with them on changing the law.
Identify your state representative and senator and make contact with them. If your state allows it, file an initiative or referendum. You will need to collect 1,000+ signatures of registered state voters on a petition.
Federal laws are changed through Congress. Research the lawmakers and reach out to your elected representatives to introduce new laws or changes on your behalf.
Use social media, local bulletin boards, and local radio stations to spread the word. Craft a press release and get interviews with journalists to tell your story. Use an image that speaks to your cause and evokes emotion in people to encourage them to support your journey to change the law.
