Silly question, can one participate in advocating for OBC's in states that you do not reside in?

Question

For instance, can i sign petitions for open records in Illinois if i live in Wisconsin? Or would my signature not count?

Can i mail or/and email state legislators in other states? Does that even make a difference if i'm not a resident of that state?

Thanks for your time.

Answer 1

letters and lobbying are ok but a petition you need to be a resident of the state or the petition needs to be national and since each states does their own thing there are no national petitions on adoption reform  

Answer 2

That's not a silly question, Freckle.  You can, indeed, advocate for other states by writing to legislators.  Legislators are certainly much more interested in their own constituents, though.  For petitions, you normally would only sign for your own state.

Answer 3

I hope so!   I was born and adopted in New York and lobby there and all over.

But I live in the UK where records have been opened since The Childrens Act of 1974.  It's about time the USA caught up with the rest of the world and end discrimination against adopted persons.

Anyone can raise awareness to the issue.  I was astounded when I was at the State Legislators' Convention in New Orleans last month that so many were unaware of the ridiculous situation adult adoptees have to face with the facts of their own lives being kept secret.

Answer 4

You can advocate for whatever you want.  You should go online and get the names and addresses of legislators and adoption experts.  Write to them, call them, etc.

Why don't you focus on where you live?  It would probably be easier and have more of an effect.  A legislator generally doesn't care about anyone that can't help to get him/her elected.

Answer 5

I think it depends on the type of petition.  If the goal of the petition to put the issue on the ballot for a vote, then you would have to be a registered voter in that state for your signature to be valid.

If the petition is just being used to raise public awareness, then you would not need to be a voter in that state.

If you send letters to elected officials in other states, it might help to focus on how it affects you personally.  If you are an "expert" in this area (either personally or professionally), I would highlight that information.