Many North Dakotans communicate with various North Dakota Legislators on a regular basis. The 69th Legislative Assembly organized December 2-4, 2024, and now will convene in regular session on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Below I share a few ideas on how to communicate with your legislators as you promote your ideas to move North Dakota forward.

Identify up-and-comers

No elected official begins as an incumbent. Almost all had to work hard to win an election, and most started at lower offices. Most governors and senators – with the notable exceptions of those with notoriety in other fields – began serving the public on city councils, state legislatures, or other lower offices. Developing influence with elected officials in higher offices and establishing and maintaining relationships with politicians who are getting started in politics and who appear likely to be successful, especially if views agree, is important. Newly elected officials are usually highly accessible and truly appreciate input from their constituents. As elected officials climb the political ladder, the influence of long-time supporters grows.

Contribute money to help campaign

This must be stated plainly: Running a campaign costs money. Citizens who contribute to a campaign are well regarded. This does not mean that politicians are owned or that a timely contribution buys a vote; most politicians are honest and ethical. Nonetheless, politicians appreciate citizens who understand the importance of financial donations to a successful campaign.

Appropriate, timely, and legal campaign contributions are part of the real-world price that must be paid to participate fully in the political process. Until campaigns are financed differently, any group that wishes to increase its ability to influence legislation must have a budget for political donations.

Candidates appreciate and remember those who help with other parts of the campaign, such as placing lawn signs, joining the candidate door-to-door or in parades, arranging neighborhood meetings, or working the polls on Election Day.

Share ideas

Politicians are not omniscient. A surprising number of pieces of important legislation originate with a constituent’s letter or phone call. If the legislator likes a submitted idea, the constituent need not be concerned about drafting the bill. The constituent can help by providing an outline of the key points, but each legislature provides lawyers who specialize in bill drafting so that bills are in proper legislative form.

The North Dakota citizen has a unique insight into almost every major social problem society faces, from environmental degradation to adolescent pregnancy to street violence to cardiac disease. For example, the North Dakota Police are on the front lines and provide care for all kinds of people. The thoughts and insights of the North Dakota police will be taken seriously if seriously communicated to elected officials.

Although politicians expect input from citizens regarding personal economic issues, be sure to balance this by providing input regarding issues that are purely for social good (e.g., toughening drunk-driving laws, promoting proper cell phone use). When lobbying on issues that affect personal financial well-being, remember that legislators earn less than some North Dakotans. This legislator once observed a prominent surgeon complain to a legislative committee that fee cutbacks would jeopardize his second home. Although committee legislators did not demonstrate emotion during the hearing, the comments in the back room afterward were devastating.

Build relationships

During the legislative session, most legislators are swamped from dawn to dusk. Their ability to hear new ideas and to process new concepts during this time is limited. Take time to get to know an elected official when the Legislature is out of session.

Try to learn what the legislator likes to do. Do not be afraid to offer a low-key social invitation or to invite the legislator to address a community group, professional club, or just some friends gathered in the living room. Most politicians love an audience and the chance to meet new people.

If possible, invite a legislator to join you at your business. Seeing what you are doing in your daily work routine from their perspective is often a real eye-opener and a valuable experience for legislators.

Partnerships of interest groups especially carry weight when they come together on an issue. Building coalitions with other professionals (e.g., nurses, teachers, physician assistants, organizations, public interest groups) can establish key relationships.

Communicate effectively

As one of 141 legislators in a state with a population of fewer than 1 million people, a senator still receives as many as 40 pieces of email daily when the Legislature is out of session and as many as 100 communications daily when the Legislature is in session. Write a single-page email whenever possible. State your problem clearly and simply, preferably with a personal angle, and include ideas for solutions. If comprehensive in-depth material is required, include an executive summary.

Real letters from real people are always read. Currently, the North Dakota AARP is doing a great job with this type of mailing. Mass mailings are noted but are less effective. Sending a newspaper article and adding a brief comment is sometimes a useful technique. Persistence pays: Continue making contact with short but frequent communications. Most politicians return calls from actual voters in their district. Do not assume legislators know medical jargon and abbreviations. To legislators in North Dakota, for example, “DNR” means Department of Natural Resources rather than “do not resuscitate.”

Support politicians

of your choice

When in agreement with your legislator on an issue, communicate that agreement. When politicians feel that the public is supportive, they are more likely to promote specific positions and to work to influence other politicians. If legislators are unsure of public support, they may vote the citizen’s way, but they do not push the issue as enthusiastically.

Letting politicians know when they do something that is appreciated is also important. Being a politician has its rewards, but it is not an easy job. Elected officials are often subject to personal attack from those who disagree with a position. More can be gained by forging a positive relationship than by creating a negative one; when an elected official does something right, send a letter of support. Like everyone, politicians appreciate praise. Just like teachers and school administrators, they often hear complaints, but hearing positive feedback for the good things is unusual and is highly appreciated.

Visit government in action

Most citizens are surprised to learn the degree to which their government is accessible. In Bismarck, the capital city of North Dakota, citizens stroll the halls and pack hearing rooms. Testimony sign-up sheets are inside hearing rooms each day. The citizen does not have to be a lobbyist to participate: anyone can sign up to be heard on any issue.

Virtually every state has access to government on the Web. Familiarize yourself with your state government’s website.

Most legislators, given reasonable notice, give visitors an insider’s tour. An old saying states that “the two things one never should watch being made are sausage and the law,” but a day spent in a state capitol provides great insight into the political process and into how a citizen can make a difference. For example, each legislative session AARP and various North Dakota Chambers make a visit to visit our legislators in Bismarck.

You can also testify at a legislative hearing.

Before the hearing you should check the committee hearing schedule on the internet. Find out when and where the bill will be heard, and be on time for the hearing. Usually, once a hearing is closed on a particular bill, no further testimony is heard.

Plan your testimony. A legislator can help you write and prepare your testimony. If a legislator knows of others testifying on the same bill, it will help you coordinate your testimony to avoid duplication.

At the hearing you should:

1. Be present at the start of the hearing. All persons present usually get a chance to speak; however, it is not always possible to give everyone a chance to speak. If you do not get the opportunity to testify, your presence may be acknowledged and you will be asked if you favor or oppose the bill. You can always submit written testimony. Yes, online testimony is acceptable too.

2. Sign the witness sheet at the lectern. List the bill number, your position in favor or opposition of the bill, your name, lobbyist registration number (if applicable) and who you represent (if other than yourself).

3. Wait your turn. The chairman will announce the beginning of the hearing on a particular bill, and the clerk will read the bill. The first speaker is usually the bill’s sponsor. The chairman then asks for testimony, first from proponents and then opponents.

4. Begin your testimony by addressing the chairman and committee members, giving your name, address and why you are there. For example, “Mr. or Madam Chairman and members of the committee, my name is John Q. Public from Scranton. I am in favor/oppose this bill because…”

5. Be brief and conversational. There is no need to be nervous or worried about doing something wrong. Legislators are your friends and neighbors who want to hear what you have to say.

6. Expect some questions and comments from committee members. If you do not know the answer to a question, offer to follow-up on the issue.

7. Respect other testimonials by avoiding clapping, cheering, booing or other demonstrations.

After the hearing:

1. Some committees vote right after a hearing, others wait until the end of the meeting and others postpone voting until another meeting.

2. All committee action is public, so you can stay and listen to the committee debate and vote, if you wish.

3. One or two days later you can check with the committee clerk, your legislator, lobbyist, or the Legislative Information Kiosk to find out how the committee voted on the bill.

How to contact a legislator

During the legislative session, a legislator can be reached by email or leaving a message with the legislative telephone message center at 888-635-3447 or 701-328-3373. Address only one issue in each contact. Keep your contact brief and on topic. Always identify specifically what legislation you are addressing (e.g. HB 1224 or SB 2254).

Yes, you will make a difference and enjoy working with your North Dakota Legislators. Take some time to work with them this 2025 legislative session in Bismarck.