Lobby Days 2026 - Advocate for Bills to Advance AAUW Values

This year we’re introducing a new approach to Lobby Days that prioritizes in-district meetings. As we transition to this model, we will also keep a zoom meeting option for members who are unable to travel to in-district meetings. This shift was inspired, in part, by our recent trials and tribulations with Lobby Days meetings in Sacramento. Over the past two years, it has become increasingly difficult to secure meetings with legislative offices in the capitol as they are routinely overbooked with meetings tending to be confirmed at the last minute, short (most last no more than 15 minutes), and held with staffers rather than legislators (84 of 94 in 2025 ).

This shift to in-district meetings for Lobby Days was also inspired, in part, by the experiences of the Redlands Branch, who took a different approach and saw remarkable results. By scheduling Lobby Days in-district, they were able to secure eight in-person meetings. These meetings were confirmed well in advance, were longer, and offered a much better chance of speaking directly with legislators. We highlighted their success in our November Public Policy survey, and members overwhelmingly indicated a preference for meeting with district offices.

Click a button below to download meeting materials:

Meeting Prep

Meeting Scripts

Committee Assignments & Voting Record

Visit Report and Thank You Template

AB 1766 – Human Trafficking Prevention Education

AB 1845 – Student Safety and Anti-Exploitation Act

AB 1876 – Fair Care for All Act

In-district meetings will be longer, will be with your own representative’s office, and are more likely to be directly with the legislator – although they may still be referred to staff, depending upon the legislator’s schedule demands.
Some in-district meetings may include AAUW members from multiple branches. Each team will need to identify 4-5 speakers. Even if not everyone presents, members are encouraged to demonstrate strong support, and legislative offices will appreciate meeting such an engaged group of constituents.
Team Leaders, volunteers from your branch or district, will take on a new role. They will not only be responsible for meeting with team members, dividing up speaking responsibilities, and leading the actual meetings–now they will also be responsible for scheduling the in-district meetings.
Zoom meetings will remain brief – only 15-20 minutes in length. They are likely to be with staff, and may be with a legislative office which is not your own. This is because in-person meetings will be prioritized. Zoom meetings will be scheduled by the Public Policy Committee.
Flexibility is essential for everyone. Schedules shift, offices change availability, and things happen outside of our control.
Most of all – enjoy the experience. Lobby Days is a wonderful opportunity to connect with lawmakers, share our values, and advocate for AAUW California’s priority bills – legislation that will make a real difference in the lives of women and girls as well as those impacted by social and racial injustices.

	In-District Meetings	Zoom Meetings
How long are meetings with legislators?	In-district meetings will be longer, depending on the legislator’s availability.	Zoom meetings will remain brief – only 15-20 minutes in length.
Am I meeting with my own legislators?	In-district meetings will be with your own representative’s office, and are more likely to be directly with the legislator – although they may still be referred to staff, depending upon the legislator’s schedule demands.	Zoom meetings may be with a legislative office that is not your own and are likely to be with staff.
What am I talking to legislators about?	You will be telling them about our priority legislation. We’ll give you information about this, and about how to present this legislation, in March 2026.	You will be telling them about our priority legislation. We’ll give you information about this, and about how to present this legislation, in March 2026.
Who is on my meeting team?	AAUW Public Policy will create your team. It will be made up of a team leader and team members. Some in-district meetings may include AAUW members from multiple branches. We will notify you of the details on January 30, 2026.	AAUW Public Policy will create your team, made up of a team leader and team members from all over the state. We will notify you of the details on January 30, 2026.
Tell me more about the team leader role?	Team Leaders are volunteers from your branch or district. They are responsible for meeting with all team members, making sure that all team members have information about priority bills, dividing up speaking responsibilities, and leading the actual meetings. For in-district meetings, they are also responsible for coordinating with local offices to schedule the meetings and conveying that information to all team members.	Team Leaders are volunteers from all over the state. They are responsible for meeting with all team members, making sure that all team members have information about priority bills, dividing up speaking responsibilities, and leading the actual meetings.
Will I get a chance to speak during the meeting?	The team leader will coordinate speaking roles. Because some in-district meetings may include AAUW members from multiple branches, the team leader will need to identify 4-5 people to speak. Even if not everyone presents, members are encouraged to demonstrate strong support, and legislative offices will appreciate meeting such an engaged group of constituents.	The team leader will coordinate speaking roles. Everyone on the team should have a chance to speak briefly during the meeting.
Who will schedule the meetings with legislators?	The Team Leader will schedule the meeting(s).	The AAUW Public Policy Team will schedule the meeting(s).

Click HERE to Download Team Leader Responsibilities Click HERE to Download Team Member Responsibilities

Click a button below to download meeting materials:

Click HERE to download meeting materials

January 6, 2026 – Lobby Days Interest Survey will be sent
January 16, 2026 – Survey responses due
January 30, 2026 – Team Rosters, including Team Leaders, will be published
February 9, 2026 – Team Leaders begin scheduling in-district meetings (Recommended lead time is minimum 45 days)
March 27-April 17, 2026 – Recommended meeting window for in-district meetings
- Spring recess: March 26-April 6 (some legislators take district meetings during this time)
- During session, legislators are often available for Thursday afternoon, Friday and occasionally Saturday in-district meetings
- Alternatively, instead of a meeting in the district office, you may want to invite your legislator to join your branch meeting. They will be happy to share their work as well as hear about our priority bills. This is a terrific way to foster your relationships with legislators.
March 16, 2026 – Bill packets (bill language + talking points) available
March 23, 2026 – Lobby Days Training Webinar
March 26-April 6, 2026 – Legislature’s Spring Recess
March 27-April 17, 2026 – Meeting window for in-district meetings
April 8-10, 2026 – Meeting window for Zoom meetings

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