Writing a position letter is one of the simplest ways to speak up on a bill. Whether you're supporting or opposing a proposal, your letter becomes part of the public record and is shared with committee members before they vote. If it's clear, personal, and submitted on time, it can actually influence what happens.

This guide walks you through what to say, how to format your letter, and where to send it.

What Is a Position Letter?

A position letter is a short written statement sent to a legislative committee to express your formal support or opposition to a bill. Committees track these letters and often mention the volume and positions during hearings. You don't need to be part of an organization or have any political experience. If a bill affects you or your community, you can send one.

What to Include in Your Letter

Keep it to one page. Here's a simple format that works well.

1. Header

At the top, include:

• Your name (and organization, if relevant)
• Your city or district
• The date
• The bill number and your position (e.g. "RE: AB 123 – Oppose")

2. First Line

State your position right away.

"I am writing in respectful opposition to AB 123."

Use language like "respectful opposition" or "strong support" depending on your tone.

3. Who You Are

Briefly explain your connection to the issue.

"I'm a parent of two public charter school students in Sacramento."
"I own a small tutoring business in Assembly District 9."

This helps lawmakers understand who is being impacted.

4. Why You Support or Oppose the Bill

Choose one or two main reasons. Personal examples are best.

"This bill would cut funding for flexible learning options that my family depends on."
"We work with low-income students who would lose critical services if this bill passes."

5. Closing

Restate your position and thank the committee.

"For these reasons, I respectfully urge you to vote NO on AB 123. Thank you for your consideration."

How to Submit Your Letter

All official position letters must be submitted through the California Legislature Position Letter Portal:
🔗 calegislation.lc.ca.gov/Advocates

Step-by-step:

1. Create an Advocate Account: Sign up using your name and email.
2. Select Measure: Choose measure type and measure number.
3. Select Stance: Support or oppose.
4. Input Letter: Input your letter in the textbox or check "Submit a letter instead" and upload a file.
5. Verify: Check "I'm not a robot" box and follow the pop-up instructions.
6. Submit: Select "Submit Position Letter" to send the letter.

Once submitted, your letter is sent to all committee members and made part of the public legislative record.

Pay Attention to Deadlines

Each committee sets its own rules for when letters must be received to be officially considered. For example:

• Assembly Committee on Housing & Community Development: 5 business days before the hearing
• Senate Judiciary Committee: Tuesday before the hearing at 12 p.m.

Late letters may still be read by staff, but they are less likely to be mentioned in the hearing or included in staff summaries. If you're not sure about a deadline, check the committee's website or contact their office directly.

Email Submissions

Some committees also accept position letters by email. Check the committee's website to see if this is allowed. If emailing:

• Attach your letter as a PDF
• Use a clear subject line: Position Letter – AB 123 – Oppose
• Include your full name, city, and position in the body of the email

If you're a Veeto advocate, we can help you draft, format, and submit your letter directly from your campaign dashboard.

Position Letter Template

Here's a fill-in-the-blank version to get you started:

[Your Name]
[Your Organization, if any]
[Your City / District]
[Date]

RE: [Bill Number] – [Support or Oppose]

Dear [Committee Name] Members,

I am writing in [support/opposition] to [Bill Number], which would [short description of the bill's effect].

As a [your role—parent, teacher, business owner, etc.] in [your city or district], I believe this bill will [your main concern].

[Add 1–2 sentences of explanation or a personal example.]

For these reasons, I respectfully urge you to vote [YES/NO] on [Bill Number].

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Tips for a Strong Letter

• Keep it under 300 words
• Be specific and personal
• Focus on a single issue per letter
• Remember you bring valuable perspective to the issue
• Avoid legal or formal jargon
• Don't wait until the last minute
• One letter per bill and committee

Final Thoughts

Position letters are easy to overlook, but they carry weight. Lawmakers and their staff track them closely, especially when they come from constituents. Many legislative aides read dozens of letters daily, so being concise yet firm in your position makes a difference. Remember that you don't need to be a policy expert—often, legislators rely on constituent experiences to understand real-world impacts of legislation. When you take the time to write one, you're helping shape the public record—and the policy that follows.

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