General Meeting Tips
- Don’t “just show up” for a meeting with your legislator.
- If you want personal time with them, you need to reach out to them first via phone or email.
- If you can’t reach them via normal ways, then yes, go to their office and schedule a meeting with their assistant.
- Tell them you are a “concerned constituent” in their district, but do not state your position or argument.
- Always be cordial with their assistant.
- They are the “gatekeepers” to the legislators – so be nice!
- The assistant can often answer general questions about their stance.
- Be familiar with the bill you are going to speaking with them about.
- Think about the harm or good the bill will do to others, not just yourself.
- The more people it affects will help your story carry more weight.
- Be respectful of their time and do not be confrontational.
- Be on time and don’t keep talking past your meeting time.
- Simply state your case and argue that to them.
- Even if they don’t agree with you, ask for compromise.
- Never use any language that is remotely threatening in any communications or meetings.
- Be very wary of the line, “let’s step outside and get a photo.” It’s a heavily used tactic to get you out of their office and end the conversation.
- Ask for a selfie in their office if possible.
- If they are a “friendly” legislator, offer to help them with their 2026 re-election campaign or stroke their ego just a tad.
- Whether or not you can help them or want to help them win re-election, this will charm them and hopefully get you put on an email list to get updates from their office.
- Leave making sure they have your name, phone number, email address.
- Let them know you would like to continue the discussion sometime.
- Thank them for their time and hearing you out.
- Remember that they are people too and a good story may help them change their vote!
- If attending a committee meeting, arrive to the meeting room at least 15-20 minutes early, as the gallery could fill up quickly
Getting There
- NC Legislature Building (LB): 16 W Jones St, Raleigh NC 27601
- Legislative Office Building (LOB): 300 N Salisbury St, Raleigh NC 27603
- Deck 75: 333 N Salisbury St, Raleigh NC 27603
- Lot 18: 101 N Wilmington St, Raleigh NC 27601
Driving & Parking
- I recommend parking in Deck 75 (address & link above), as it’s directly across the street from the LOB and is actually less walking than the 101 N Wilmington lot
- Parking is $2 per hour or fraction thereof and $16 for all day or lost ticket
- Highly recommend paying with a credit or debit card. You can use tap card/mobile phone at the automated stations. ONLY one booth is staffed and accepts cash (both the deck and lot).
- DO NOT PARK STREET-SIDE! OBEY ALL SIGNS!
- You won’t get a Raleigh city parking ticket. No, no, no! You’ll get one from the State Legislative Police which will be much higher and consider yourself lucky if they don’t also tow you.
- PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE DIRECTIONS OF THE STREETS! DOWNTOWN RALEIGH IS MOSTLY ONE-WAY STREETS!
- BE AWARE OF PEDESTRIANS ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING!
Ride Sharing & Taxis
- No real advice here, other than just have them drop you at either the LB or LOB addresses (above)
Bus
- If you’re already in Raleigh, use the GoRaleigh Trip Planner to put in your address and find the optimal bus route
- If you’re coming in via Greyhound to the Raleigh terminal, you’ll want to catch the #1 Downtown – Southbound bus. Get off at N Blount St at E Lane St which will put you behind the legislative building.
Train
- Take the train to Raleigh (Union Station)
- After arrival, follow the signs to the bus stop, on S. West St (click map to enlarge)
- Take the RLine circulator bus (going either direction) – it’s free!
- Get off at either the Salisbury at Lane St or Wilmington at North St stops
Accessibility
(Modified from https://www.ncleg.gov/About/VisitorInfo)
Spaces designated for persons with disabilities are located in each lot & deck
Auxiliary aids and services (interpreters, electric cart, assistive listening devices, etc.) can be provided with 72 hours advance notice by calling (919) 733-7044
Legislative Building
- Accessible entrance on Jones Street with an automatic door
- Elevators serve all levels with controls mounted 42 inches high
- Benches and seats available for waiting or resting
- Public gallery designed to accommodate wheelchairs
- Cafeteria in basement is accessible
- Accessible restrooms are available on all floors
- Emergency alarms have visual signals
Legislative Office Building
- Accessible entrance on Lane Street with an automatic door
- Elevators serve all levels
- Snack bar on first floor is accessible
- Accessible restrooms are available on all floors
- Emergency alarms have visual signals
Inside the Buildings
- I will dress professionally when I go, but you can literally wear anything that’s not obscene or showing violence/hatred. Be smart about what you wear.
- WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES! It’s a lot of walking!
- Always go in through the right-most door to the LB and LOB. It will be marked Visitors – do not follow someone in, even if they are with you. They may be prescreened.
- Each time you enter either building, you will be required to pass through security again
- Everything on you will pass through an X-ray
- You will go through a walk-thru metal detector and if triggered, will be required to do a body scan with a wand
- If you’re carrying a backpack, you will need to take out your laptop or tablet. You will not be asked to open or turn it on.
- Keys must also be emptied from your pockets and out of any bags (including backpacks)
- You DO NOT NEED IDENTIFICATION, NAMETAG, OR REASON TO ENTER
- If you are asked for one, immediately call for a supervisor and document why they are asking for it. Get as many details as possible, then report to your legislator exactly what happened.
- Assume that you are being recorded on audio and/or video at all times in the buildings
- DO NOT CONNECT TO THE “FREE” WIFI! It will be named “NCGA_Guest” and is insecure. Use your phone’s mobile data or hotspot
- Do NOT take a picture of someone without their permission/consent if you plan on publishing it (most legislators will be happy to take a selfie with you)
- Note: Photography is allowed at committee meetings and publication without permission is allowed, since these are public meetings
- The offices in the LB will be four digits, consisting of floor – block prefix – office number. The offices in the LOB will be three digits consisting of floor – office number
- Examples:
- 1117 – first floor of the LB, block 1100, office 17
- 522 – fifth floor of the LOB, office 22
- Examples:
- There are places in the LB to sit and work. Each block of the LB has an atrium with various chairs and tables set up in the middle. These are for public use, so grab a seat and take care of any last minute work before your meeting – or sit and take notes afterwards.
- The only place to sit and work in the LOB is the legislative library, located on the 5th floor (turn right after exiting the elevators)
- Prohibited items in the buildings (their rules)
- Aerosol containers
- Stun guns, martial arts weapons/devices, knives of any size, mace and pepper spray, guns, replica guns, toy guns, ammunition, fireworks, or anything that looks like a weapon, even if it’s non-functional
- Batons and nightsticks (?)
- Signs on sticks (must be handheld or on a paper tube)
- Pets or animals, except service animals
- Anything they could deem a weapon (I wouldn’t even take nail clippers!)
- DO NOT PROTEST IN THE HALLWAYS, per the official rules (linked here, PDF), you will be asked to leave (their rules, not mine)
- Applause, demonstrations, and food and beverages are prohibited in the galleries and meeting rooms (again, their rules, not mine)
- The dining and snack rooms are open to the public and is extremely cheap, but the food isn’t horrible
- LOB: 1st floor; 8am – 3pm daily
- LB: basement; 11am – 2pm daily – view menu