5 Calls: An App to Help Call Your Officials
Background:
This free app helps walk you through the process of calling your elected officials. It was created in 2017 by a married couple who wanted to help people engage with their government. Based on your zip code, your legislators will automatically be chosen and then you will begin the process of identifying which issue you want to address with them. The app has no cost, but donations are requested. (If you would rather not use an app, go to their website at 5calls.org)
How To:
- Once you enter your zip code, it’s captured for future use unless you change it. You’ll then see the question What’s Important to You?
- Choose the issue you are interested in. Note the elected officials denoted to call.
- You will then see background information on that issue. These are excellent and summarize issues succinctly. After the summary, you will then see the officials to call as well as a blue See Your Script button.
- Tap whom you wish to call. A phone number pops up along with a script that you can use. Please note the circle with three dots to the right of the main phone number. That will link you to the state office(s) of the official.
- Call, give, or leave your message, and then indicate the status from the choices given by 5 Calls: Unavailable, Left VoiceMail, Made Contact, Skip. 5 Calls tracks the overall number of contacts made to officials.
- That’s it.
Oh, and why is it called 5 Calls? Because the founders want each of us to call five times each week to let our legislators know what’s important to voters.
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