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Tips to Writing Effective Letters to Elected Officials

Fast Fred Rafts & Travels

Fast Fred is a wandering guide enjoying endless summers and sharing adventure along the way.
I began writing these motorcycle pages of articles, photos, and trips during 2000.

Tips to Writing Effective Letters to Elected Officials

By FastFred Ruddock

It is important that we inform elected officials where we stand on our issues. Our input on motorcycle issues and other important issues shapes the way our representative in the General Assembly and Congress create and implement legislation and social policy. Emails, postcards, and phone calls are good communication tools. However letters and faxes are the most effective and persuasive way of communicating our views to elected officials. Many legislators believe that a letter represents not only the position of the writer but also many other constituents who did not take the time to write.

These tips will help you write a persuasive letter:

  1. Be respectful: The letter should be polite, positive and constructive. Never threaten an elected official politically or otherwise.
  2. Address letter to your representative: Address the letter to the Representative or Senator(s) who represents you in the General Assembly or Congress. Mass letters to every member of the legislative body are seldom effective. Do not send a photocopy.
  3. Keep your letter short: Limit your letter to one page and one issue.
  4. Identify yourself: Anonymous letters go nowhere. Always include you name, address, voter registration number, and phone number. Even in email, include your correct name, address, voter registration number, phone number and email address. If you don't include at least your name and address, you will not get a response.
  5. Identify your issue: In the first paragraph of your letter state what issue you are writing about. If you are referring to a specific bill, identify it by name and number (e.g. Criminal Gang Prevention Act: S. 141).
  6. Focus on your main points: Choose the three strongest points to support your argument and develop them clearly. Too much information can distract from your position. Provide specific rather than general information about how the topic affects you and others.
  7. Make your letter personal: Tell your legislator why the issue matters to you and how it affects you, your family, and your community. Make a connection to the legislator. Did you vote for him or her? Did you contribute to the campaign? Are you familiar with him or her through any business or personal relationship? If so, tell your elected official or his staff person. The closer your legislator feels to you, the more powerful your argument is likely to be. Thank elected officials when they vote the way you want. Never use vulgarity, profanity, or threats. Don't let your passion get in the way of making your point.
  8. Ask for a reply: Include your name and address on both your letter and envelope. Ask for a response but never demand a response.
  9. You are the expert: Be polite and take a firm position in your letter. Be confident in your understanding of the issue and remember that the legislator may know less than you. No one knows more about motorcycle issues than bikers. State any professional credentials or personal experience you may have, especially those pertaining to the subject of your letter.
  10. Sign your letter: Type or print your name below your signature

Forms of Address:

State General Assembly:

The Honorable ...
SC State Senate
Post Office Box 142
Columbia, SC 29202

Salutation: Dear Senator:

The Honorable ...
SC House of Representatives
Post Office Box 11867
Columbia, South Carolina 29211

Salutation: Dear Representative:

US Congress:

The Honorable ...
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Salutation: Dear Senator:

The Honorable ...
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Salutation: Dear Representative:

How to locate your elected officials:

You can quickly locate all of your elected representatives at the local, state, and federal levels online at http://www.scstatehouse.net/cgi-bin/zipcodesearch.exe

Those without Internet access may call 803-734-2010 for assistance in locating and contacting their members of the General Assembly.

Fast Fred Ruddock with a Helmet Ticket in Polk County North Carolina

About Fast Fred

My life has been a dedicated blend of open road adventure and relentless advocacy for motorcyclists’ rights. I'm "Fast Fred" Ruddock, and my journey on two wheels began as a teenager. Over the years, I’ve owned 13 Harleys and several other motorcycles, machines that were far more than just transportation. They represented a freedom that I have fought to protect. Recognizing the power of information, I earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, skills I immediately put to use for the movement.

My commitment to advocacy led me to a complete immersion in ABATE of South Carolina (ABATE of SC). I quickly moved through the ranks, starting by developing the ABATE of SC website in 2001 and serving as the Berkeley/Dorchester Chapter Coordinator. This progressed to serving as Lowcountry Area Coordinator, where I successfully shifted our local focus decisively toward rights and rapidly increased membership. From 2003 to 2007, I served as the State Coordinator, where I helped coordinate several key legislative victories, including the passage of the Purple Heart license tag bill and the successful repeal of unnecessary handlebar height restrictions. My primary strategic goal was always to achieve widespread political influence by organizing a chapter in every single county.

On the national front, I extended my influence by serving as the State Representative on the board of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) for several years during the 2000s. This role ensured that the concerns of South Carolina riders were directly represented in critical federal legislative discussions. Crucially, I also worked to shape public opinion: I wrote articles related to motorcycle rights for various magazines and had a small column in Easyriders magazine for several years, using media to educate riders nationwide on the issues impacting their freedom.

My activism was not only about lobbying but also direct action and constitutional challenges. I participated in the Myrtle Beach civil disobedience against local helmet laws, contributing to the legal groundwork for the eventual overturning of that restrictive law through a landmark SC Supreme Court case. I also challenged helmet laws personally, fighting three tickets in court as an act of civil disobedience in several states. I lobbied in multiple state capitols with me friends across the country. My dedication continued after my ABATE leadership, as I served as the Director of Bikers Of Less Tolerance (BOLT) of South Carolina.

Today, while I also enjoy working as a river guide and sharing my travel adventures, my legacy remains rooted in the fight for motorcycle freedom. I have spent decades on the front lines, utilizing both political strategy, legal challenges, and national media to protect the rights of every person on two wheels.

My Other Adventures

I'm a professional whitewater guide and kayak instructor. I grew up rafting, sailing, and surfing, and I spend my North American summers guiding on world-class whitewater. I have spent much of my adult life riding motorcycles and paddling kayaks.

Raft with me: Check out Fast Fred Rafts for details.

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