The Pro-Vaccine Guide to Advocacy

As a Wisconsinite, your voice matters. Your senators and representatives in Madison need to hear your experiences, thoughts, and values so they can make informed decisions. Wisconsin families support strong public health laws, which is why it’s important that our elected officials hear from us and not just a small but vocal minority of anti-vaccine voices.

Contacting Your Lawmakers

  • Once you’ve identified your state representative and state senator, you can call to let them know that you support strong vaccine laws.

    Wisconsin Families for Vaccines is happy to provide you with talking points if you aren’t sure where to start. Please contact us with questions or information needs — we are here to support you!

    Introduce yourself by saying, “My name is (Your Name), and I am from (City/Town/Village).” Next, tell the lawmaker what they can do to address your concern, or thank them for a positive step they’ve taken. For example, “I am calling to ask that Senator/Representative (support/oppose) (bill number and title).” Keep it brief, listen attentively, and end with a thank you.

    You may need to leave a message with their staff or on a machine. Politely include your name, city/town/village, concern or thanks, desired action, and a phone number.

  • Lawmakers may especially appreciate handwritten letters, but email works too!

    Address the lawmaker using their title (Senator or Representative). Start by introducing yourself and indicating that you are a constituent in their district. You might also briefly summarize your personal or professional background that shows you have firsthand knowledge of the issue (being a parent, caregiver, health professional, educator, etc.).  

    Describe how this issue impacts you and/or your community and the action you hope they will take. Wisconsin Families for Vaccines will send out action alerts with talking points that you can use or adapt.

    To make your message more memorable, it’s ideal to include a brief and specific personal story about how the issue affects you, your family, or your community. Always close with a thank you.

    Make sure you send your email or mail to the appropriate lawmaker. You can find your state lawmakers and their contact information here.

Writing a Letter to the Editor

  • A letter to the editor is a great way to communicate your perspective on an issue to the public, or even ask them to take an action. Legislative offices will often monitor LTEs in local papers, so it’s a great way to reach them too!

  • Letters to the editor, or LTEs, are usually written in direct response to a previously published article. They can also be a reaction to an event. They are short (usually no longer than 250 words).

    Refer to the editorial pages of your newspaper for specifics about writing LTEs. Most papers have strict word counts and will not consider pieces that are too long.

    Also note the paper’s submission guidelines. Most require your first and last name and town or city, and many will contact you to confirm that you wrote the letter yourself.

  • Your letter is most likely to get printed if it responds to something recently published in that newspaper. Be sure to cite the article you are responding to.

    Your letter can support and expand on something already in the news, make a point that was left out, or disagree with and correct misinformation. You want to make your opinion clear and memorable, so focus on one or two main points. 

    Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask for action. Tell readers what you want them to do.

  • Start with a first line that will grab the reader’s attention.

    Make your letter personal by telling a story or explaining how the issue affects you, your family, or your community.

    Be accurate and always cite your sources. Don’t repeat claims made by opponents, as this can contribute to the spread of misinformation. Focus on sharing accurate information and a positive message. Show compassion towards those you disagree with. When you criticize, also propose a better alternative.

    You do not need to be formal – in fact, you should write with the average person in mind, using terms, phrases, and arguments that resonate with a broad audience.

  • Check out these example letters to the editor for guidance and inspiration.

    Check out the following LTEs published by fellow Wisconsin vaccine advocates:

  • If your LTE is published, congratulations! Make sure to share it with us, your friends and family, and encourage others to write their own letters.

    If your LTE is not chosen, don’t give up! You can always call the paper and ask for feedback, or try another angle or time.

Submitting Testimony on a Bill

  • Before a bill becomes a law, it must make its way through a lengthy legislative process. 

    After a bill is introduced, it’s assigned to a committee. Next, the Committee Chair must be willing to bring the bill to the floor for discussion. If this happens, then a public hearing will be scheduled. Public hearings are an opportunity for committee members to hear from the public, legislative agency staff, and content experts before they vote to support or oppose a bill. 

    Your testimony can help explain how the proposed bill would impact you and your community, draw attention to critical issues, dispel myths and misinformation, and ultimately influence the passage or failure of a bill. Both the Senate and Assembly must pass the same bill before it is sent to the Governor to be vetoed or signed into law.

  • Wisconsin Families for Vaccines will notify you of upcoming vaccine-related legislation through action alerts. We’ll send out information on dates and times for hearings and provide talking points.

    Identify the issue you want to address. While there are many things you may want to share with the committee, stay focused on one key issue.

    Great testimony is clear and concise – keep it to 2-3 minutes, or about one page for written testimony. It doesn’t have to be formal. Speak from the heart, be kind, and tell the truth. 

    Start your testimony with “Dear Members of [Insert Name] Committee.”

    Introduce yourself, say that you are opposed to or supporting the bill (include the bill number), and explain why. If you have a story to share based on your personal or professional expertise, include that. If you include data or statistics, use a reliable source and cite it.

    End by asking the Committee to support or oppose the bill, and remember to say thank you for their time and consideration.

    DO NOT include any information you do not want disclosed publicly.

    If you have questions or would like help with your statement, please contact us at info@wifamiliesforvaccines.org.

  • When you arrive, fill out a hearing slip and wait to be called. If you can’t stay for the full hearing, tell the messenger (or “page”) near the door and ask to be called early.

    Remember to keep your testimony to 2-3 minutes and bring a copy for each committee member (bring 20 copies for an Assembly Committee or 10 copies for a Senate Committee).  If you are unable to give oral testimony due to time constraints, you can leave your written statement.

  • If you don’t want to speak publicly about the legislation, you can submit written testimony. You can also express your position by checking a box on your hearing slip indicating that you support or oppose but don’t want to testify.

    If you can’t attend the hearing in-person, you can submit written testimony electronically via email to the committee clerk. Wisconsin Families for Vaccines will include information about how and when to submit testimony in advance via email.

  • Wisconsin Eye streams and records legislative committee hearings and floor sessions.