Meeting personally with your legislators or their staff is the most powerful way to get your message to them. So, talk with them in person about House bill H.R.2239 or the identical Senate companion bill S.1980. Let them know you want verifiable elections.

So, take some time to visit locally with one of your legislators. If you cannot schedule an appointment with the legislator, meet with the staff.

[If you cannot visit, then call and keep calling until you find out their position. Better yet, enlist the help of your friends and convince them to co-sponsor. Guidelines for calling are here.]

Here are some guidelines for holding a constituent meeting with your Senator, Representative, or their staff.

1. Choose a legislator.
2. Assemble a group for the meeting.
3. Schedule an appointment.
4. Research the legislator.
5. Plan a concise presentation.
6. Meet with the legislator.
7. Follow up with a thank you letter.

Be sure to report the results of the meeting to us at pass2239@verifiedvoting.org.

Steps for Constituent Meetings with Members of Congress

Choose a Senator or Representative who is not already a co-sponsor. Check here to see your Representative’s position on H.R.2239. As far as we know, no Senators are co-sponsors yet.

Assemble a small group of people (4 or 5) that enthusiastically support the bill and are also constituents of the legislator you choose to adopt.

Schedule an appointment. Your legislators’ local office numbers are in the government pages of your phone book. You can also reach any congressional office using the Capitol switchboard (202-224-3121 or 888-508-2974). The DC staff can give the local number.

Do your research. Review the legislator's voting record, committee assignments, and any views that have been publicly stated. A good place to start is on the legislator's web site. Go here, choose your state, and click on the legislators’ name.

Plan what you will say. Keep it brief and to the point. We suggest something like this, but be sure to make it your own and from your heart:

a. It is a good idea to start by expressing appreciation for anything (big or small) you can find in their public record – something you can sincerely thank them for.

b. Let them know that you are very concerned about the fact that there is no way to be sure that an electronic voting machine recorded votes correctly, and there is no way to conduct a meaningful recount of the votes.

c. Point out that voting machine software is a trade secret and you believe that every part of an election procedure should be open to public scrutiny – especially the software that records and tallies votes. Traditionally, ballot counting has been an open process that is observed by election observers from both parties, but no one can observe the electronic recording and tallying.

d. Emphasize that all software has errors and if someone inserted malicious code, it could easily go without detection.

e. Tell them that you believe the bill (H.R.2239 or S.1980) is essential to ensure the integrity in our elections.

f. Take printed materials to leave with the legislator. We recommend our two-page introduction, a summary of the bill, and the responses to questions legislators often ask about the bill. We suggest that you also take this piece describing two recent electronic voting disasters.

We highly recommend that you DO NOT talk about sensational or speculative matters, but confine your discussion to undeniable facts. We believe the legislators will respond more positively to objective information than to fears and conspiracy theories.

Arrive at least 5 minutes early for the meeting. Be positive, constructive, friendly, and brief. Start with each person introducing themselves, saying where they live, and giving a brief reason for their attendance. Then have one spokesperson give the presentation. Be sure to be concise. Ask the legislator’s position. Allow plenty of opportunity for listening to your legislator's views and concerns. Be sure to leave your printed materials.

Follow-up with a thank you letter in which you restate your position very briefly.