Do you have to go to the Capitol and meet with people?

No! There are so many different ways to get involved in the process. While actually showing up to the Capitol for hearings and other events can be incredibly powerful, anything from emailing to calling to even posting on social media can make a difference. Whatever your comfort level, you can find a way to make your voice heard.

When do you visit the Capitol?

Generally, offices of local representatives can be visited any time of the week, so long as a meeting is scheduled a week or so in advance. When there are other events, such as hearings on a bill or rally days, we try and be at the Capitol even if it means scheduling a trip during the weekday. The specific days that we go are up to the team, who’s available when, but also very much dependent on when the legislators are meeting.

What is the process like to go and testify?

It differs between the House and Senate. For both, you need to show up on the day of the hearing and request to speak (sometimes only invited testimony is allowed, we don’t generally attend those hearings). In the House, signing up takes the form of a kiosk outside of the hearing room. In the Senate, it’s a physical card that you fill out and hand in to the clerk. We make sure before hand that the testimony (generally two minutes) is written and checked, and then you are called up to speak, have a microphone in front of you, and may get asked questions by the members of the committee at the end.