Public Comment 101
Anyone can use their voice to advocate for what they believe in. If you’re interested in providing a public comment in Washington State and you aren’t sure where to start, we've got you covered. Keep reading to get ready to present your thoughts and concerns to council members and legislators in your community!
When you’re prepping to give a public comment, start off with:
1.Introducing yourself
Mention your pronouns and organization/affiliation/what district you live/work in
2. State what you’re giving a public comment on
You can mention the item by name or the associated number
3. State why you are supporting or opposing it
State the action you want to see the council do.
Personal story of impact in the community/ your life.
Wrap it up by circling back to the action you want the council to take.
(optional) Thank the council members for their time.
Make it memorable by including:
Your specific call to action
Make this piece memorable & specific
Appeal to emotions - make it personal
Relate facts to emotions
What makes a public comment stand out? It is incredibly helpful to practice, practice, practice! Additionally, having a beginning-middle-end can help make your public comment flow well and be memorable. Lastly, take some time to think about how you want to make your audience feel.
Generally, public comments are about two minutes long, at times this limit is shortened to 90 seconds. Depending on how quickly you speak a public comment of 180-200 words is a great word limit. If you have a lot to say, it's a good idea to create 2 versions to ensure you’re able to get all your points out no matter the time limit.
Did you know? In Washington State, if you aren’t able to join meetings in person or virtually you can submit a written comment before the meeting!
You can visit https://leg.wa.gov to learn about bills, your district and legislators, and upcoming council meetings.
Join us on the journey towards justice by supporting our work. Stay up to date on all things CHOOSE 180 by subscribing to our newsletter, and following us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.