Do my elected officials really want to hear from me?

100% absolutely, yes! Elected officials are in office because of their constituents, and most genuinely want to understand the issues that matter to the people they represent. Hearing directly from real voters like yourself on specific issues helps legislators understand the real human impact of policy decisions that can otherwise feel abstract. Your voice, particularly as someone who votes and lives in their district, carries real weight.

What typically happens when an elected official receives communications from a constituent?

Most offices track and log every piece of communication they receive. Staff members sort messages by topic and tally how many constituents have contacted the office in favor of or against a particular issue. These tallies are regularly reported to the legislator. When a significant number of constituents weigh in on the same topic, it signals to the official that the issue is important to their district and additional attention may be needed. Tip: Personalized, thoughtful messages about an issue will often carry more weight and get noticed, resulting in the likelihood of a personal response (but never guaranteed).

How do elected officials feel about grassroots advocacy?

Most elected officials view grassroots advocacy favorably and as an important part of the democratic process. It shows that an issue has broad community support beyond professional lobbyists or special interest groups. Legislators are also aware that for every person who takes action, many more constituents likely share the same concerns.

How long is too long when it comes to an effective message to a legislator?

Shorter is almost always better. A message of 200–300 words is ideal. State who you are (their constituent!), what issue you are contacting them about (an issue or bill #), what you are asking them to do (support vs. oppose, co-sponsor, etc.), and why it matters to you personally. Don’t overthink—speak from your heart and experience. Tip: Aim to make your key point in the first two sentences.

Should I include personal information about myself, family, or job in my message?

Including relevant personal context—your profession, your role as a caregiver, or how an issue directly affects you—will make your message more compelling and memorable. Use your judgment and only share what you are comfortable with and what is genuinely relevant. Tip: Avoid including financial details, medical specifics, or other sensitive data. A brief, authentic personal story can make a strong impact without getting too specific.

What happens when I send a message and who typically reads it?

At the federal level, most communications are ingested into an electronic system that segments messages into organized categories reviewed by the appropriate staff. At the state level, messages may go into a similar system or be sent directly to the office email. Constituent messages are initially read by junior staff who sort and categorize them, then reviewed by a legislative aide or policy staffer who specializes in that subject area. Particularly compelling messages may be flagged and brought directly to the legislator’s attention.

How do I find out who my elected officials are and how to contact them?

The advocacy system integrated into the American Vox Pop site will seamlessly connect you to your elected official based on the bill or issue (state vs. federal) and ensure delivery of your message.

Do I need to mention affiliations when contacting an elected official?

If you believe mentioning an affiliation (organization, club, society, etc.) has an advantage, do so—but always start by mentioning your personal connection as their constituent or someone who lives and votes in their district. Your constituent status is your most powerful credential.

Is there anything I should avoid when contacting an elected official?

Stay focused on one topic per message. Avoid foul language, personal attacks, or anything that could be misconstrued as a threat. Do not contact a federal official about a state issue (or vice versa) as it’s outside their jurisdiction. If you don’t have a personal story, don’t make one up—it’s okay to support or oppose an issue based on its merits alone.

Can I really make a difference?

100% yes! When you combine your voice with others in an organized advocacy effort, the cumulative impact can be significant. While quantity does matter, a well-written, heartfelt message from a constituent can and often does shift or enhance an official’s perspective.

A Single Country Deserves a Single, Reliable Energy Grid

The United States possesses the world's most dynamic economy, yet our energy grid operates as a patchwork of regional islands. Under the current system, critical interstate transmission lines that would deliver reliable, affordable power across state lines routinely die—not because they fail federal review, but because a single state along a thousand-mile route can veto the entire project. This balkanization leaves millions of Americans vulnerable to power failures during extreme weather and stifles industrial growth.We the People deserve an energy infrastructure built for the 21st century. By granting the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) a limited, common-sense backstop siting authority for projects of national significance, Congress can unlock the bottleneck. This constitutional solution respects state authority while ensuring that no single state can compromise the energy security of the entire nation.

Unleash America's Energy Grid: Pass the Federal Transmission Backstop Act

The American power grid is fragmented into regional islands, leaving us vulnerable to blackouts and energy shortages. By restoring a limited federal backstop authority, we can build a resilient, unified national grid while respecting state consultation and local routing.

Why We Must Reform Grid Siting

The Single-State Veto

Currently, a single state can block an interstate transmission line that benefits multiple neighboring states, paralyzing national infrastructure projects.

Grid Balkanization and Blackouts

Because our regional grids cannot easily share power, Americans face preventable blackouts during extreme heat waves and cold snaps.

Paralyzing Project Timelines

The average interstate transmission project now takes over a decade to complete, a timeline that is entirely incompatible with our national energy needs.

Our Proposed Solutions: The Federal Transmission Backstop Act

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Establish Limited FERC Backstop Authority

Grant FERC backstop siting authority over interstate transmission lines designated as nationally significant by the Secretary of Energy, triggered only if states fail to act within 18 months.

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Mandate Formal State Consultation

Require a formal state consultation process during the 18-month window, verified by a federal coordinator's binding-affidavit of good faith.

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Preserve Substantive State Rights

Ensure states retain authority over routing within their borders, state-level condemnation procedures, and distribution ratemaking.

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Implement a 10-Year Sunset Clause

Require Congress to review and reauthorize the authority after 10 years based on public data of its actual usage and state objections.

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Enforce Quarterly Public Reporting

Require FERC and the DOE to publish quarterly reports detailing every national significance designation, state-process status, and backstop order to ensure total transparency.

Key Facts at a Glance

Single-Digit Completions

Between 2020 and 2025, the number of major interstate transmission lines completed in the U.S. remained in the single digits.

The 2005 Precedent

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 granted limited FERC backstop authority, which was later narrowed by a 2009 Fourth Circuit ruling, highlighting the need for clear statutory restoration.

Isolated Systems

The ERCOT-Eastern Interconnection ties in 2025 consist of just two limited DC ties with approximately 1.2 GW of capacity, a textbook example of grid balkanization.

Unused Frameworks

The DOE's National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETCs) framework has existed since 2007 but has been narrowly utilized due to regulatory gaps.

Decade-Long Delays

The average timeline to plan, permit, and build an interstate transmission project in America today exceeds 10 years.

Sample Talking Points

One state along a thousand-mile transmission route can kill the line. That is not a federalism story—that is a coordination problem the Constitution gave Congress the authority to solve.

Eighteen months of state process first. Full consultation. Backstop only as a last resort. This is not federal preemption; it is a federal backstop after good faith failure.

The Federal Power Act of 1935 understood the grid as interstate commerce. The Rural Electrification Administration wired the country in a decade because federal authority was usable when local action stalled. We need that same constitutional resolve today.

If a Member of Congress says they support a strong national grid but will not vote for a sunsetted, narrowly scoped FERC backstop authority, ask them how they think the grid gets built.

A unified grid is a matter of national security. When extreme weather strikes, the ability to share power across state lines is the difference between warm homes and catastrophic blackouts.

Want to Take Action?

Engage with American VoxPop. Contact your elected officials to make your voice heard on this campaign.

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EnergyInfrastructureFERCGrid ReliabilityFederal Reform

A Single Country Deserves a Single, Reliable Energy Grid

Unleash America's Energy Grid: Pass the Federal Transmission Backstop Act

Why We Must Reform Grid Siting

The Single-State Veto

Grid Balkanization and Blackouts

Paralyzing Project Timelines

Our Proposed Solutions: The Federal Transmission Backstop Act

Establish Limited FERC Backstop Authority

Mandate Formal State Consultation

Preserve Substantive State Rights

Implement a 10-Year Sunset Clause

Enforce Quarterly Public Reporting

Key Facts at a Glance

Single-Digit Completions

The 2005 Precedent

Isolated Systems

Unused Frameworks

Decade-Long Delays

Sample Talking Points

The Constitutional and Historical Path to Grid Reliability

Want to Take Action?

Stay Informed

Advocacy Campaign FAQs

A Single Country Deserves a Single, Reliable Energy Grid

Unleash America's Energy Grid: Pass the Federal Transmission Backstop Act

Why We Must Reform Grid Siting

The Single-State Veto

Grid Balkanization and Blackouts

Paralyzing Project Timelines

Our Proposed Solutions: The Federal Transmission Backstop Act

Establish Limited FERC Backstop Authority

Mandate Formal State Consultation

Preserve Substantive State Rights

Implement a 10-Year Sunset Clause

Enforce Quarterly Public Reporting

Key Facts at a Glance

Single-Digit Completions

The 2005 Precedent

Isolated Systems

Unused Frameworks

Decade-Long Delays

Sample Talking Points

The Constitutional and Historical Path to Grid Reliability

Want to Take Action?

Stay Informed