Making Your Voice Count
Making Your Voice Count
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AARP is committed to providing straight forward, nonpartisan information for voter engagement purposes. Using our AARP's online can help you choose candidates that best represent your views. We look forward to engaging with many of you in this exciting election season!
Use online resources for including where to vote and how you can vote early.
Election years are often when many Americans become the most engaged in their civic duties. According to the Census Bureau, Maine had the nation’s highest eligible voter participation in 2010 and the third highest rate of participating voters between the ages of 65-74. These are statistics of which we should not only be proud, but commit to increasing! It is also important to remember that civic participation goes beyond voting and can have great impact on policy-making in any given year. Although hectic schedules often prevent us from doing more, one simple thing we can do is write a letter.
It’s easy to think that our elected officials either may not have the time or the desire to read constituents’ letters. However, legislators DO care. In fact, each letter is usually deemed representative of many constituents’ opinions. With proposals surfacing that will likely be considered on and , now is an excellent time to brush up on your letter writing skills.
Abiding by these guidelines will make your message as powerful as it can be.
Be Informed – Educate yourself about the issues you care about. Why not consider attending a candidate forum in your area? You could even ask a question of the candidate.
Be Brief – Keep your letter to three paragraphs. First, state your name and why you are writing. Be sure to reference the bill’s name and number or clearly specify the issue you wish to address. Next, provide accurate, specific, and factual evidence for your views. Brief personal stories relating to the facts you present can add power to your statements. Finally, provide concluding statements and end with a request for action.
Be Polite – It is important to stay calm when discussing issues about which one feels passionate. Remember that insults and accusations are the quickest way to shut down any conversation. Maintaining a courteous and professional tone in your letter will help ensure your views are heard.
Voting this November and communicating your views to elected representatives is an excellent, proactive way to participate in the political process.
Find the contact information for Maine legislators online:
Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures
Making Your Voice Count
In keeping with a more than 20 year tradition, AARP is publishing 2012 Voters’ Guides, in print and online, to let Maine residents know where the presidential and Congressional candidates stand on issues of importance to those 50+.See Also:
AARP is committed to providing straight forward, nonpartisan information for voter engagement purposes. Using our AARP's online can help you choose candidates that best represent your views. We look forward to engaging with many of you in this exciting election season!
Use online resources for including where to vote and how you can vote early.
Election years are often when many Americans become the most engaged in their civic duties. According to the Census Bureau, Maine had the nation’s highest eligible voter participation in 2010 and the third highest rate of participating voters between the ages of 65-74. These are statistics of which we should not only be proud, but commit to increasing! It is also important to remember that civic participation goes beyond voting and can have great impact on policy-making in any given year. Although hectic schedules often prevent us from doing more, one simple thing we can do is write a letter.
It’s easy to think that our elected officials either may not have the time or the desire to read constituents’ letters. However, legislators DO care. In fact, each letter is usually deemed representative of many constituents’ opinions. With proposals surfacing that will likely be considered on and , now is an excellent time to brush up on your letter writing skills.
Abiding by these guidelines will make your message as powerful as it can be.
Be Informed – Educate yourself about the issues you care about. Why not consider attending a candidate forum in your area? You could even ask a question of the candidate.
Be Brief – Keep your letter to three paragraphs. First, state your name and why you are writing. Be sure to reference the bill’s name and number or clearly specify the issue you wish to address. Next, provide accurate, specific, and factual evidence for your views. Brief personal stories relating to the facts you present can add power to your statements. Finally, provide concluding statements and end with a request for action.
Be Polite – It is important to stay calm when discussing issues about which one feels passionate. Remember that insults and accusations are the quickest way to shut down any conversation. Maintaining a courteous and professional tone in your letter will help ensure your views are heard.
Voting this November and communicating your views to elected representatives is an excellent, proactive way to participate in the political process.
Find the contact information for Maine legislators online:
Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures