Citizen Toolkit
Improve your civic engagement with these resources. Click each title to download!
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A template for requesting meetings with policymakers, stakeholders, or community partners. It provides a professional framework for introductions and scheduling.
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A checklist for organizing and managing a coalition. It helps groups define goals, roles, decision-making processes, and ways to measure progress.
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A ready-to-use template for developing professional legislative or policy briefings. It guides users through presenting issues, recommendations, and implementation plans.
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A planning worksheet for developing effective media campaigns. Use it to identify audiences, set objectives, assign responsibilities, and outline key actions.
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A practical guide to preparing and delivering testimony at legislative hearings. It covers research, presentation tips, and post-hearing follow-up.
Important Dates
Key dates to remember for the annual legislative calendar.
January
Legislative Session Begins
The annual Legislative Session for the PA Legislature begins on the first Tuesday of January, unless the first Tuesday is New Year's Day.
January
Governor Inauguration
The inauguration ceremony for the Governor-elect of Pennsylvania is held in the state capital, Harrisburg, on the third Tuesday of January following the election.
April or May
Primary Elections
Primary elections in Pennsylvania are held on the third Tuesday of May in most years. In presidential years, the primary election is held on the fourth Tuesday of April.
November
General Elections
General elections are always held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. For more information about elections in PA, click here.
Nov. or Dec.
End of Legislative Session
The annual Legislative Session for the PA Legislature generally ends on November 30 in even years (years with elections for the Legislature) and December 31 in odd years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I start?
Start at the Government Basics page, and work your way through the website to learn about PA's government, its key figures, and additional information that helps you become a more informed citizen.
Why is the state called a "Commonwealth"?
Pennsylvania adopted the language used from its original 1776 constitution to signal that the community is ruled by the people, not by a monarch. The label carries no legal or structural difference than that of a state, and shares the label with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Who represents me?
You can find your federal or state legislators by using the Find Your Representative tool to find federal congressmen or Find My Legislator tool for state representatives.
What is an advocacy ecosystem?
The advocacy ecosystem is how all players contribute to the political system. Each player is vital to the political system, and each have their roles- from the governor to interest groups to the media, they all work together to help the public.
Can one person really make a difference?
Yes! Your voice matter more than you think, and legislators serve and represent a limited number of people- and pay attention to what their constituents think. You don't need to be an expert, either. Stories about how policies may affect you is something that lobbyists and press releases can't reproduce. We encourage you to take that first step!
What happens if the governor vetoes a bill?
The vetoed bill will return to the chamber the bill originated from (House or Senate), where they enter the Governor's objections and they consider the bill again. The veto can be overwritten when both the House and the Senate reach two-thirds votes of approval, the bill becomes law without the Governor's signature.Â
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What is the most effective way to contact a legislator?
Some of the more effective methods of communication with a legislator include a phone call, scheduling an in-person meeting with their staff, or personal, handwritten letters to their Harrisburg office while they are in session, or their district office when they are not. Being as specific, but also as respectful as possible helps encourage the legislator and their staff to take action.
What is the difference between advocacy and lobbying?
An important distinction between advocacy and lobbying is the scope, the target, and who does it. Advocacy has a broad scope, looking to attract attention from the public, the media, government officials, and communities at large. It aims to raise awareness towards a specific issue and to shape opinion involving that issue- which may inevitably shape policy. On the other hand, lobbying looks to influence specific legislative decisions- and it's regulated. Advocacy remains unregulated, as the 1st amendment protects us. Lobbying can also be performed by anyone, but professionals and organizations who wish to lobby must follow the rules, which can be found here.
What is in the Toolkit?
The Toolkit includes downloadable resources that can be used for any kind of civic engagement. The Meeting Request template helps draft a professional rubric to get you a meeting with anyone involved in the political process. The Coalition-Building Checklist assists in organizing and managing a coalition of individuals. The Legislative Briefing template is a guide to help you work through policy issues, recommendations, and implementation. The Media Strategy worksheet makes the formation of a media campaign simplified by setting goals, assigning duties, and identifying targets. Lastly, the Testimony Guide helps prepare you to deliver testimony at legislative hearings, gearing up your policy positions.
If I wish to speak to Pennsylvania’s Governor directly, will they receive the online contact form and respond?
No, the Governor’s Correspondence Office will be in receipt of your outreach via the mail, telephone, or online contact form. They will review incoming correspondence and present the Governor with the questions and information as they see fit.
If I reach out to Pennsylvania Legislators, do they receive and respond to my outreach directly?
While Pennsylvania State Senators and Representatives receive your inquiries, they are usually reviewed and handled by the legislative staffer and then direct the inquiries to the legislator after review has been done.  Sometimes, when reaching out to State Agencies, constituents will reach out to The Department of Revenue, Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA). OLA is a liaison to, serves as a liaison for the State Legislature and the Governor’s Office. If you reach out to OLA, your issue will be reviewed by OLA, and they will send it to the appropriate subject matter expert for further follow-up with you.
How can I go about joining an advocacy interest group in Pennsylvania?
While there is not a central database for all advocacy groups in PA, start by searching the community around you and looking for groups with shared interests. If you are unable to find advocacy groups on your own, try these options. You can become a member of The Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO), which is an organization, comprising of nonprofit organizations, corporate partners, and individuals, that supports Pennsylvania’s Not for Profit organizations statewide and advocates for policy reform. PANO can provide resources that connect people with like-minded peers and other nonprofit organizations.  You can become a member of The Mental Health Association in Pennsylvania (MHAPA), which is a nonprofit organization that advocates for policy reform and provides education on Mental Health while acting as a conduit and resource to many affiliated advocacy programs and nonprofits.