You can write (post, fax, e-mail) as well as calling or visiting your candidate. Personalized letters have the most impact, so do put your concerns and ideas in your own words. Letters should be short, and be sure to include your address and phone number so that you can get a response.

Addresses:

For local or state candidates, look on the Democratic and Republican web sites for addresses of candidates' campaign offices. For starters, check:

www.democrats.org - also links to individual states;

www.hdcc.org/ -- House Democratic Campaign Committee;

www.dscc.org - Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee;

www.rnc.org/ -- Republican National Committee;

www.nrcc.org/ -- National Republican Campaign Committee;

www.nrsc.org/ -- National Republican Senatorial Committee.

NOTE: Up-to-date information on state or local candidates ( http://capwiz.com/bread/home/ ) and presidential primary election dates (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/politics/elections/index.html) may be found by clicking on the above links. By using your ZIP code, you may search for your local candidates.

Sample: Calling for a new US-Colombia policy.  Click here to see LAWG's sample letter to presidential candidates on Colombia policy.  Feel free to use or draw on this letter. 

Talking Points for a Letter on Cuba:

Here are some talking points on US policy toward Cuba that may be useful in framing language for your letter to your candidate.

• I would like to hear your position on US policy toward Cuba. This policy is of interest to me and many Americans as both a humanitarian issue and an economic issue. I am concerned about the impact of the current embargo, and believe that the United States should lift all remaining restrictions on the sale of food and medicine to Cuba and permit US citizens to travel freely to and from Cuba.
  
• The past 40 years have shown that unilateral sanctions on the sale of food and medicine to Cuba are ineffective in bringing about a change of government. Yet the United States persists in this policy. Denying food and medicine to needy Cubans is an inhumane (and ineffective) foreign policy tool.
  
• The travel ban infringes upon Americans' right to travel, the very essence of a free society. Travel restrictions remain in place while Americans are allowed to travel to other communist nations, including North Korea, China and Vietnam. Travel restrictions prevent exchange and understanding between the two nations. The travel ban limits opportunities to promote cultural understanding between Cubans and Americans and impedes improved relations between the countries. Increased contact would help dispel stereotypes and promote mutual understanding.
  
• The US embargo on Cuba hurts the Cuban people. Innocent Cubans should not bear the burden of antagonistic relations between the US and Cuban governments. I feel that the United States should explore new directions in US policy toward Cuba. I want to know how you feel about this policy.

Your Request: I/we are requesting that candidates commit to supporting a reform of Cuba policy. Candidates should add their voices to the voices of many others calling for a more humane policy which does not punish the Cuban people.