Study Confirms that Grassroots Outreach Strategies are the Most Effective Way to Inform State Legislators.

A 2005 study published in the Journal of Social Work by Cynthia Jackson-Elmoore revealed that Grassroots is by far the most effective way to inform and influence state legislators. The study interviewed 507 state legislators across 12 states and found that state legislators valued direct constituent contact as a source of information for more than the media, their colleagues, or even staff. This finding held true across party and idealogical lines, as well as race and gender. Grassroots was valued even more in “non-professional” state legislatures like Kansas, but remained the number one influencing factor across the board.

State legislators generally used similar sources of information. The computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATIs) revealed that some information sources were relatively more important than others. Legislative staff and grassroots organizations were rated as very important sources of information for state legislators. Legislative staff and grassroots organizations were rated as very important sources of information for legislators from all types of communities. Statewide lobby groups and ethnic associations were rated as relatively important sources of information for state legislators. In comparison the media and the Internet ranked lower in importance as sources of information for state legislators. (Figure 1 – See Chart below)

One important finding revealed that direct constituent contact was valued far more than contact from individuals or organizational leaders who lived outside of the legislators district.

Legislators are more likely to use information from their constituents rather than members of the general public. As one state legislator said, “I try to go through and search for materials from my constituents.” Another state legislator commented that “for me, face-to-face interaction with people from organizations I’m not familiar with is not effective; it needs to be someone from my district.” This means that information from constituents must be targeted to the appropriate state legislators. It also means that rallying clients behind legislative action remains a valid component of social work.

These findings confirm what we have seen in our work with our clients. Any attempt to change public policy benefits from intensive grassroots groundwork inside the districts of those lawmakers you are attempting to educate and influence. The most effective way to communicate with a legislator to find supportive constituents and train them to deliver the message.

Source: Informing State Policymakers: Opportunities for Social Workers
Cynthia Jackson-Elmoore
Social Work; Jul 2005; 50, 3; Research Library
pg. 251