HELPFUL TIPS FOR WRITING YOUR LOCAL WYOMING HOUSE REP.
IMPORTANT:
- You’ll write your message in the text box on Step 2, where it says “Personalize your message.”
- Your message will be sent to your local Wyoming House Representative.
- Don’t click the “Send message” button until you write your message.
- REMEMBER TO DELETE THE TEXT THAT SAYS “[DELTE THIS TEXT AND INSERT YOUR MESSAGE HERE]”
Have questions? Check out this video tutorial about using Better Wyoming forms to email legislators.
YOUR MESSAGE SHOULD HAVE THREE SHORT PARTS:
1. Say who you are.
Make sure to tell them that you’re a voter in their district.
My name is ____. I’m a voter in your district.
2. Say what you want.
I’m writing today to ask you to vote against Rep. Duncan’s amendment to the proposed redistricting map.
3. Say why you want it.
[This is where you can add a sentence or two about why this is important to you. See talking points below.]
PRO TIPS
Keep it brief: Lawmakers get tons of emails. If you write them a novel, they’re not going to read it.
Change the message subject: This will let them know your email is not spam.
TALKING POINTS
Maybe mention a few of these things in your message. Read this article (and watch the video!) for background information.
- Southside Cheyenne is a racially diverse place with its own cultural heritage. It is a distinct community of interest that deserves representation in the Legislature.
- Sadly, Southside Cheyenne’s voice has been marginalized in the Legislature for decades. The area is currently gerrymandered into four House districts.
- The Corporations Committee heard significant testimony about why Southside Cheyenne needs better representation, and they included it in the map they brought to the Legislature. In the current map, Southside Cheyenne is split into only two House districts.
- Rep. Duncan’s amendment would undo this good work and continue to keep Southside Cheyenne from having a voice in the Legislature. It would continue to split Southside Cheyenne into four House districts.
- Rep. Duncan’s amendment appears motivated by a desire to increase representation in rural eastern Wyoming and to prevent to current Cheyenne House Reps., Jim Blackburn and Clarence Styvar, from having to run against each other. These are no good reasons to racially gerrymander Southside Cheyenne.
- Southside Cheyenne has actually grown in population over the past decade, while rural eastern Wyoming has lost population. There is no reason why Southside Cheyenne should lose representation so that rural eastern Wyoming can maintain its influence.