As a constituent and citizen in Maryland, you hold significant power. Contacting your Federal and State representatives can have a tremendous impact. If they don't hear from you, they won't know what's important to you and may tend to moderate their positions. Don't assume that because they're Democrats, they will always vote the right way.

Don't overlook your local representatives. Your state Senator and Delegate play a crucial role in shaping the laws for Maryland that directly affect you and your way of life.

All of your representatives need to hear from you to understand what matters to you. When they know that the public is behind them (or when they feel the pressure), they gain more confidence to make the right decisions.

If you're satisfied with your representative, take a moment to thank them for the work they're doing on your behalf. Often, they are fighting alone, and knowing that we support them gives them the strength to keep going.

Legislation doesn't pass by itself. Politicians need to persuade their colleagues to vote the right way. If they can say, "My phones are ringing off the hook about this issue," it can help convince other politicians that this issue matters to voters. If your representative is in denial, it's much harder for them to dismiss the issue if their phones won’t stop ringing.

In any case, whether it's support or pressure, it's something they're not used to. They want to be re-elected. If they know we're watching and will hold them accountable with our vote, they are more likely to rethink their position on an issue.