call YOUR STATE REPS
One way you can advocate for Vote16MO is by calling your state representatives. Below, we outline the steps necessary to call your state representative and senator in support of the Vote16MO Campaign
FOLLOW THE STEPS OUTLINED ON THIS PAGE. USE THIS CLICKABLE MENU BELOW TO GUIDE YOU THROUGH THE INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE:
STEP 1: FIND YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS
STEP 1: FIND YOUR REPRESENTATIVE
1) Click here to find your representatives.
2) Once you enter your address on the website linked above, a list of your representatives will pop up.
You'll want to pay attention to where it says "Senatorial district" and "House District"
(note: this is NOT "US House district")
3) Once you've located your representatives, their names should be underlined in blue to signify a clickable link. You should click on your representative's or senator's name.
4) Once you've clicked on their name, you should write down their FIRST NAME, LAST NAME, and PHONE NUMBER which can be found on their page.
If you would like to WRITE YOUR OWN SCRIPT, click here to skip to Step 1 (C).
STEP 2 (A): USE OUR TEMPLATE
To make it easier on you, we've prepared a script that you can use easily. Simply follow the instructions below.
1) Once you click on the "open template" button below, you'll click "USE TEMPLATE" in the upper right hand corner.
2) Once you've opened the template in Google Docs, you'll fill in all of the necessary information that is in brackets or "[ ]". This is so you can read directly from the script if you need to without messing up.
For example, where it says "[your name]" you will replace that text with your name so that you can read from this script while you are calling.
CLICK THE BUTTONS BELOW TO OPEN EACH TEMPLATE
STEP 2(B): prepare for the call ON YOUR OWN
Calling your legislators is another powerful way to voice your concerns and advocate for change. Here are some tips for making effective calls to your legislators:
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Be Prepared:
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Research the issue you want to discuss and gather facts, statistics, and key points to support your argument.
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Identify Your Legislators:
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Know who your state and federal legislators are, including their names, phone numbers, and office hours. You can find this information on their official websites.
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Choose the Right Time:
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Call during regular office hours. Avoid calling during lunch breaks or busy periods, as it may be more challenging to reach a staff member or legislator.
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Be Polite and Respectful:
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Maintain a polite and respectful tone throughout the call, even if you disagree with the legislator or their stance.
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Get to the Point:
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Start the call by stating your name and that you are a constituent. Then, clearly and concisely state the purpose of your call and the issue you want to discuss.
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Personalize Your Message:
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Explain why the issue matters to you and how it affects your community. Share personal stories or anecdotes to make your point more relatable.
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Ask for Specific Action:
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Clearly express what you want the legislator to do, such as supporting a particular bill or taking a specific stance on an issue.
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Listen Actively:
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Pay attention to what the staff member or legislator says. Be prepared to engage in a respectful and informed conversation.
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Stay Calm and Patient:
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Calls may sometimes get routed to voicemail or require some wait time. Be patient and leave a clear and concise message if needed.
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Request Follow-Up Information:
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If you don't receive a clear response during the call, politely ask for information on the legislator's position or when you can expect to hear back.
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Leave Your Contact Information:
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Provide your name, phone number, and email address, so they can contact you with a response or for further discussion.
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Express Gratitude:
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Regardless of the outcome of the call, thank the staff member or legislator for their time and consideration.
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Take Notes:
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Jot down key points discussed during the call for your reference. This can be helpful if you need to follow up.
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Follow Up in Writing:
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If the call leads to further action or discussion, consider sending a follow-up email or letter to summarize your points and confirm your request.
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Engage Others:
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Encourage friends, family, and community members to make calls as well. A coordinated effort can have a more significant impact.
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Stay Informed:
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Continue to follow the progress of the issue you care about and be ready to make additional calls if necessary.
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TALKING POINTS:
These are simply our suggested talking points to help you guide your phone call. You can choose between which ones you'd like to advocate for.
1) We are not asking the legislators to support Vote16MO, although that would be amazing. We are simply asking the legislators to vote to place the Vote16MO initiative on the November 2024 ballot so that their own constituents, who are parents, business owners, school board members, teachers, and municipal leaders, would be able to decide the outcome of this initiative. If the legislator doesn't support Vote16MO, they would vote to place the initiative on the ballot and then vote against it when it is put to a vote!
2) We are not lowering the voting age in ALL elections, only nonpartisan local and school board elections. These elections are much smaller and more intimate. This will provide a transition process, allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in smaller elections which will give them practical experience in voting before joining the entire electoral process at all levels.
3) Through Vote16MO, we are addressing the issue of taxation without representation in the youngest demographics. 16- and 17-year-old workers are paying millions in taxes combined year year, but have no access to elected representatives. This issue should supersede partisan gridlock, as this is a principle our country was founded on.
4) We are currently seeing pitiful levels of voter engagement and turnout in local and school board elections in Missouri. Allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to vote will encourage civic engagement and active participation in the political process from a younger age. This can foster a lifelong habit of voting and civic responsibility.
5) Educators and institutions from across the state are confirming the fact that lowering the voting age in local elections will strengthen civics education. By including younger voices in elections, we can encourage better civic education in our schools and ensure that young people have a say in decisions that will directly impact their lives.
6) Our country is built on the principle of representation. Lowering the voting age will help ensure that the concerns and perspectives of young citizens are included in the decision-making process.
7) Vote16MO will positively impact urban and rural communities. Communities across the state will see positive changes economically, developmentally, educationally, and civically, and beyond.