Want to Know What Your Constituents Think?
Ask Them!
I wanted to take some time to send you this letter about a novel and unique process I recently used to communicate with every home in my district, TX-11. The results of this effort have fiven me new and detailed insight into the concerns of my constituents at a very reasonable cost. I can honestly tell you that this was the most effective constituent communications tool I have ever used.
During the week of April 23, 2007, I targeted 203,078-homes in my District with an automated survey recorded in my voice that asked constituents their opinion on certain federal issues. The constituents then responded via a voice activated system. Important issues and results I want to point out to you include:
- I was able to use a current and up to date database than went beyond voter files
- I reached over 63% of all homes either live (over 47%) or with an answering device message (over 15%).
- I had an amazing response rate with 37,000 constituents responding to one or more questions and 22,000 responding to all 15 questions I asked.
- The script included an “Opt-In” question that under Franking rules will allow me extra opportunities to use my MRA budget to communicate with over 15,000-homes (representing over 30,000 constituents) several times again.
- This process afforded me and my staff “Real-time, Online access” to the survey results as they were compiled.
- My office was provided with a final report that included many details about constituent homes including the name, address, phone number, as well as how the respondent answered the questions asked in the targeted survey.
- My office now owns this data with unlimited use. We intend to utilize it to make my mailings, Tele-Town Halls, and all other constituent communications efforts much more effective and efficient.
| Questions Asked | Yes | Responding Percent "Yes" | No | Responding Percent "No" |
| Are you registered to vote in Texas? | 30,779 | 85.17% | 5,361 | 14.83% |
| Do you support US efforts in Iraq? | 22,892 | 73.91% | 8,080 | 26.09% |
| Do you believe the US should put in place a fixed timetable for withdrawal of troops from Iraq? | 11,799 | 41.75% | 16,462 | 58.25% |
| Do you want me to support sending more Border Patrol agents to the border? | 19,783 | 84.45% | 3,644 | 15.55% |
| Are you in favor of a non-amnesty temporary guest worker program with no path to citizenship? | 11,744 | 52.67% | 10,522 | 47.33% |
| Do you believe, as your Congressman, I should be able to advocate the funding for local projects with federal money, often called earmarks? | 14,966 | 67.14% | 7,423 | 32.86% |
| Would you support the elimination of the IRS and the way we currently pay taxes and replace it with a National Sales Tax? | 14,001 | 70.76% | 5,786 | 29.24% |
| Do you believe the government should promote more choices in healthcare coverage by providing tax incentives to employees and businesses? | 18,052 | 84.78% | 3,242 | 15.22% |
I encourage all Members to seriously consider this service as one of the staples you can use to communicate with your constituents. Thank you for allowing me to discuss this process with you.
Sincerely,
K. Michael Conaway
Member of Congress
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