Advocacy Glossary

Constituent

What does constituent mean?

A constituent is a person who lives in the district or state a legislator represents. Legislators give constituents' views the most weight.

Why it matters for advocates

Offices check addresses. A message from someone who can vote for the member matters far more than one from outside the district.

That is why strong advocacy groups send people to meet their own legislators, and why briefs that show local impact in the member's district land harder than national numbers.

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