Final answer:
Lobbying is the practice of trying to influence members of the legislature by contacting public officials and persuading them to support the interests of a specific group of constituents.
Step-by-step explanation:
The practice of trying to influence members of the legislature is called lobbying. Lobbying is any activity that involves contacting a public official to persuade that official to support the interest of a specific group of constituents. Lobbyists use various tactics such as testifying in legislative hearings, helping to draft legislation, and contacting lawmakers and executive agencies.