Not all issues are handled in the same place, and not all elected officials have the power to fix the same problems. Whether you're pushing for reproductive rights, environmental protections, voting access, or education reform, knowing who to contact is just as important as what you say.
This guide explains the difference between your state and federal representatives, the kinds of legislation they each handle, and how to make sure your message reaches the right people. If you're ready to speak up, this is where your voice starts to make an impact.
Not from Metro Detroit? Use Common Cause's Find My Rep tool
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Download the full collection of all letter templates featured across the site in one easy-to-print PDF. Use it to write from home, share with others, or bring copies to your next organizing event.
*Updated 5/19 with additional Gaza, Medicare & “One Big Beautiful Bill” letter templates
When and Where to Send Letters
If you're writing about legislation or statewide policy:
Use your representative’s Lansing (state) or Washington, D.C. (federal) address. These offices log policy feedback, route it to legislative staff, and count it toward constituent tallies.
If you're writing about a local or personal issue:
Use their local or district office address. That’s best for casework help (like housing, immigration, or benefits) or if you're requesting a meeting.
The following elected officials currently represent Ferndale, MI at the state and federal levels. If you live in a different city, we encourage you to use the “Find Your Rep” and “Find Your Senator” tools listed under each section to identify who represents you directly.
State Representative:
Not sure who your rep is? Use this tool to enter your address and find the right contact.
Helena Scott (D – 8th District)
Rep. Scott serves in the Michigan House of Representatives, where she helps create and vote on state laws that impact voting access, public education, reproductive rights, civil liberties, and community safety. She represents your voice in Lansing.
Best to contact him about:
Voting rights, ballot access, and voter suppression initiatives
Public library protections and community access
Civil rights and DEI protections at the state level
Student free speech, protest protections, and academic censorship
Access to healthcare and Medicaid at the state level
Protections for seniors and public program funding
Mailing Address:
The Honorable Helena Scott
Michigan House of Representatives
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514
Phone: (517) 373-3815
Email: HelenaScott@house.mi.gov
Website: housedems.com/helena-scott
State Senator:
Mallory McMorrow (D – 8th District)
Senator McMorrow serves in the Michigan Senate and plays a key role in passing statewide legislation. She is known for defending civil rights, DEI protections, and reproductive freedom.
Best to contact her about:
The same issues listed under Rep. McFall
State bills impacting marginalized communities
Protecting education access, LGBTQ+ rights, and safe elections in Michigan
Mailing Address:
The Honorable Mallory McMorrow
Michigan Senate
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
Phone: (517) 373-2523
Email: senmmcmorrow@senate.michigan.gov
Website: senatedems.com/mcmorrow
Joe Tate (D – Speaker of the House, Michigan House of Representatives)
Joe Tate is the Speaker of the Michigan House. Even if he isn’t your district rep, he influences what becomes law for all Michiganders. If you care about moving a stalled bill or pushing leadership to act, he’s the one to write to.
Best to contact him about:
Urging the House to take action on bills affecting your community
Supporting or opposing legislation that has stalled in committee
Promoting statewide efforts for equity, education, healthcare, or worker protections
Mailing Address:
The Honorable Joe Tate
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514
Phone: (517) 373-0852
Email Contact Form: housedems.com/joe-tate/contact
Website: housedems.com/joe-tate
Winnie Brinks (D – Senate Majority Leader, Michigan Senate)
Senator Brinks serves as Majority Leader of the Michigan Senate. She leads the Democratic caucus and helps determine which bills are prioritized for debate and passage. As a long-time advocate for equity, education, and economic justice, she plays a key role in shaping Michigan’s legislative future.
Best to contact her about:
Advocating for Senate action on specific state bills
Promoting protections for marginalized communities
Urging support for public education, reproductive care, or environmental justice legislation
Mailing Address:
The Honorable Winnie Brinks
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
Phone: (517) 373-1801
Email Contact Form: senatedems.com/brinks/contact
Website: senatedems.com/brinks
State Election Officials:
Jocelyn Benson (D – Secretary of State)
Secretary Benson serves as Michigan’s chief election official. She oversees statewide elections, voter registration, absentee ballot procedures, and ensures fair and secure access to the ballot for all eligible voters.
Best to contact her about:
Expanding access to early voting or absentee ballots
Protecting election security and transparency
Opposing voter ID restrictions or voter suppression bills
Promoting multilingual ballots and voter education resources
Mailing Address:
The Honorable Jocelyn Benson
430 W. Allegan St.
Lansing, MI 48918
Phone: (888) 767-6424
Website: michigan.gov/sos
Board of State Canvassers (Nonpartisan Oversight Panel)
The Board of State Canvassers is a bipartisan body that oversees the certification of statewide election results and the approval of ballot initiatives. It plays a critical role in ensuring elections are fair, transparent, and legally binding.
Best to contact them about:
Supporting or opposing statewide ballot proposals
Advocating for accurate and fair election certification
Raising concerns about petition wording or recount procedures
Mailing Address:
Board of State Canvassers
Bureau of Elections
P.O. Box 20126
Lansing, MI 48901-0726
Phone: (517) 335-3234
Website: michigan.gov/sos/elections
U.S. Congress:
U.S. House Representative:
Haley Stevens (D – 11th Congressional District)
Rep. Stevens serves in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she helps draft and vote on national legislation. She represents your district at the federal level in Washington, D.C.
Best to contact her about:
National bills like the SAVE Act
Federal reproductive rights funding (like Title X)
Immigration policy or protections for asylum seekers
Education funding, voting rights, and climate policy
Mailing Address:
The Honorable Haley Stevens
2411 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-8171
Email Contact Form: stevens.house.gov/contact
Website: stevens.house.gov
U.S. Senators:
Elissa Slotkin (D – Junior Senator)
Senator Slotkin is Michigan’s newest U.S. Senator. She serves at the federal level and votes on legislation related to civil rights, healthcare, national defense, and more.
Best to contact her about:
Federal civil rights protections
Federal court appointments and judicial oversight
Reproductive rights and Medicaid access
LGBTQ+ protections and trans healthcare
National voting rights legislation
Washington, D.C. Office:
The Honorable Elissa Slotkin
825B Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-4822
Email Contact Form: slotkin.senate.gov/contact
Website: slotkin.senate.go
Gary Peters (D – Senior Senator)
Senator Peters has served in the U.S. Senate since 2015 and represents Michigan’s interests in all federal legislation. He serves on several key Senate committees related to homeland security, small business, and the judiciary.
Best to contact him about:
Federal funding for schools, healthcare, and clean water
National immigration policy or student loan reform
Any legislation that could impact your civil liberties
Opposing harmful bills like the SAVE Act or abortion restrictions
Mailing Address:
The Honorable Gary Peters
724 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-6221
Email Contact Form: peters.senate.gov/contact/email-gary
Website: peters.senate.gov
STATE-LEVEL REPRESENTATIVES (McFall & McMorrow)
These two work in Lansing and vote on laws that only affect Michigan.
Best to contact them about:
Michigan bills (like HB 4299 on plastic regulation)
Reproductive healthcare funding at the state level
School curriculum or book ban issues in Michigan
Environmental protections for the Great Lakes and local communities
Michigan minimum wage increases
Public health and safety decisions (state-level)
Use them when: You’re writing about anything happening at the state or local level (like Title X funding in MI, plastic bag bans, or Michigan education bills).
STATE ELECTION OFFICIALS (Benson & the Board of State Canvassers)
These officials do not vote on laws, but they oversee elections and ballot access in Michigan. Their offices manage how we vote, how petitions get approved, and how elections are certified.
Best to contact them about:
Expanding or protecting access to absentee voting and early voting
Opposing voter suppression laws or ID restrictions
Supporting multilingual ballots and voter education programs
Commenting on or supporting a statewide ballot proposal
Raising concerns about petition approval or recount procedures
Use them when:
You want to take action on anything related to voting access, ballot design, absentee options, or citizen-led petitions and proposals. These officials are key to ensuring fair, transparent elections in Michigan.
FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES (Stevens, Slotkin, Peters)
These reps serve in Washington, D.C. and vote on national laws that affect the entire country.
Best to contact them about:
National bills like the SAVE Act
Protecting or repealing federal programs like Title X (reproductive care funding)
Immigration policy and deportation protections
Trans healthcare rights across states
Supreme Court appointments or federal judicial oversight
Voting rights bills, civil liberties, and constitutional amendments
Use them when: You’re talking about anything that’s coming from Congress or the White House, or anything that would affect people in multiple states.
If You're a Constituent Writing About Legislation or Local Concerns:
Use Their Lansing (State Reps) or D.C. (Federal Reps) Office
These are the offices where:
Legislative staff process mail
Policy concerns are logged and routed
Your letter will likely be added to constituent response tallies
When to Use the Local or District Office:
If you are writing about a local or personal issue
If you're seeking casework help (e.g., with benefits, immigration, or agency problems)
If you’re delivering something in person
If you’re asking for a meeting or attending an event
