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Write a Letter to the Editor

You, yes you, should write an “LTE”

Writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper is an incredibly impactful way to advance Ranked Choice Voting. Do not be worried if you have never written one, or if you feel you have nothing new to say. Political power depends on many people speaking up together to demand change. 

Steps to a great letter

  1. Read the “Example Letters” section of this page, so you can be a part of the current conversation. 
  2. Select the newspaper you would like to submit to and learn their submission guidelines (e.g. word count, submission process, etc…).
  3. Aim to convey one or two messages in the “LTE Key Messages” section of this page.
  4. Write a letter that follows the three-part formula.
    1. The Hook. A personal, attention grabbing first sentence that conveys the gist of the letter.
    2. The Argument. One to three paragraphs that flesh out your argument and convey your perspective. Short, simple, and personal is best.
    3. The Call to Action. End with a clear call-to-action for one or two target audiences.
  5. If you would like feedback on what you have written, feel free to reach out to info@fairvotemn.org.
  6. Submit your letter via your newspaper’s submission process.
  7. Let us know what happens, whether or not your letter is published. We would love to echo your work through our channels.

Five Key Messages

The Spoiler Effect

Because of the third-party Spoiler Effect, our elections too often are won by unpopular candidates without majority support. Ranked Choice Voting allows voters to express support for third-party candidates while still assuring that the winner is authentically the most representative candidate.

Divisive Polarization

Divisiveness, deceitfulness and polarization are tearing  our communities apart and it needs to stop. We need Ranked Choice Voting because it elevates unifying, truthful, issue-focused leaders.

More Choice + More Voice

Ranked Choice Voting gives voters more choice and more voice: it allows more viable candidates on the ballot while still assuring the winner is the best representative of the community.

Unrepresentative Primaries

The candidates on our local election ballots are chosen at costly, low-turnout, low-diversity, primaries. Let’s use Ranked Choice Voting in the general elections so that we choose our leaders through one efficient, high-turnout, representative election.

It's Non-Partisan Reform

Ranked Choice Voting is non-partisan. RCV elections are won by the candidate that is most unifying, and most representative candidate of their district, whether that person is conservative or liberal.

Example letters

Mankato Free Press: Minnesota needs ranked choice voting

Feb 4, 2021

Andrew Weinzierl in The Mankato Free Press: Rather than feeling pressured to vote for the lesser of two evils, we deserve an election process that is fair for all voters, promotes civility, and produces outcomes that are a truer reflection of the will of the people....

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Sun Current: Ranked Choice Voting is a source of hope

Oct 25, 2020

Basha Salah in The Sun Current: It is a source of hope in a challenging year that the perspective expressed by the Sun Newspapers Editorial Board on Sept. 17 that “now is the time to make substantial progress toward racial equity,” has neared consensus status across...

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