The Citizen’s Handbook for Influencing Elected Officials is a practical, research-driven guide for anyone who wants to understand how government really works-and how to make their voice heard in it.
This newly expanded second edition is more than twice the length of the original. It draws on the author’s forty years of experience working in and around the United States Congress, including his tenure at the nonpartisan Congressional Management Foundation. It offers a rare insider’s view of how legislators make decisions and what kinds of advocacy actually influence them.
Blending novel research, interviews with dozens of current and former members of Congress and their staff, and lessons learned from years of direct experience, this handbook demystifies the policymaking process and arms readers with the tools to make an impact. Inside it you’ll find:
Whether you’re preparing to meet with an elected official, writing a persuasive letter to the editor, or simply trying to understand the levers of power in Washington and your state capital, this book offers clear, actionable strategies to be an effective citizen-advocate.
Bradford Fitch is the former CEO of the Congressional Management Foundation (CMF). He has spent 40 years in Washington as a journalist, congressional aide, consultant, college instructor, Internet entrepreneur, and writer/researcher. He is a leading trainer of citizen-advocates in the U.S., with more than 50,000 Americans participating in one of his programs. Fitch got his start in communications as a DJ for his local AM radio station in Upstate NY at the age of 16. He is a former radio and television reporter, and worked on Capitol Hill for 13 years as press secretary, legislative director, and chief of staff. From 2001-2005 he served as Deputy Director of CMF. He left CMF in 2006 to form a new software company, Knowlegis, now a part of FiscalNote. He returned to CMF in 2010, where he served 14 years as CEO. Fitch also is the author of Citizen's Handbook for Influencing Elected Officials and Media Relations Handbook for Government, Associations, Nonprofits, and Elected Officials. His work and interviews have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, CBS News, NPR, among others. He taught journalism and public communications at American University in Washington, D.C, where he served an adjunct Associate Professor of Communications.
"American citizens share responsibility for the success of our Republic, but they can’t fulfill that responsibility without having the knowledge and essential tools necessary to do so. The Citizen’s Handbook provides that foundation. It contains detailed information on how Congress functions and how citizens can gain access to it, including the rules of the House and Senate, how a bill becomes a law, the influence of campaign financing, how to read polls, how to communicate with your member of Congress and senators, and—maybe more importantly—what staff do and how to get their attention. The Citizen’s Handbook is a key first step to making your voice heard and your action count." -- Mike Johnson, former newspaper editor, White House staff member, House leadership staff member, co-founder of the Congressional Institute and co-author of two books, Surviving Congress and Fixing Congress: Restoring Power to the People.
"Bradford Fitch knows his stuff. After four decades working in and around Congress, he's written an essential guide for anyone who wants to understand how the legislative process actually works-and how to get the ear of their representative without a million-dollar check. This is a practical handbook grounded in surveys of congressional staff, insider interviews, and real-world examples of successful citizen advocacy. Fitch dismantles the myth that only lobbyists and big donors have influence, showing instead that well-timed, personalized constituent contact is what truly moves legislators. Whether you're a first-time advocate or a seasoned activist, this book will sharpen your effectiveness and restore your faith that ordinary citizens can make a difference in our democracy." -- Lee Drutman, author: Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop and The Business of America is Lobbying
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