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
- Read the “Example Letters” section of this page, so you can be a part of the current conversation.
- Select the newspaper you would like to submit to and learn their submission guidelines (e.g. word count, submission process, etc…).
- Aim to convey one or two messages in the “LTE Key Messages” section of this page.
- Write a letter that follows the three-part formula.
- The Hook. A personal, attention grabbing first sentence that conveys the gist of the letter.
- The Argument. One to three paragraphs that flesh out your argument and convey your perspective. Short, simple, and personal is best.
- The Call to Action. End with a clear call-to-action for one or two target audiences.
- If you would like feedback on what you have written, feel free to reach out to info@fairvotemn.org.
- Submit your letter via your newspaper’s submission process.
- 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
Leading the way on ranked choice voting
As part of an effort to end divisive and negative election campaigns and polarized governance, U.S. election officials and policymakers are turning to ranked choice voting (RCV), otherwise known as instant runoff voting, to make our elections more civil, fair, and...
Ranked-choice voting is gaining momentum. So are efforts to stop it.
Advocates of ranked-choice voting say it helps women and people of color candidates participate in a more democratic election system. It’s part of why they see efforts to squash it as so alarming. Ranked-choice voting, which allows voters to choose multiple candidates...
Ranked Choice Voting is the next step for democracy reform
Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) has been gaining momentum across the country, but nowhere is the momentum greater than right here in Minnesota. And for good reason: RCV promotes a vibrant democracy that boosts turnout and is more representative and less divisive. Under a...
Ranked-choice voting: It’s long past due
To the editor: There is an excellent opportunity for ranked-choice voting to pass in Minnesota this year — a local option to let cities like ours adopt RCV if we wish and a task force to consider RCV statewide. This year’s legislation creates a process for...
The time for statewide ranked choice voting in Minnesota is now
Minnesota is known for being a leader in civic engagement and democracy, but we believe our state can do even better. We have the opportunity to make our elections more inclusive and fair for all Minnesotans by expanding ranked choice voting (RCV) in our local and...
A simple reform that can save our democracy
Politics are so heated today. We are at a crisis point in our democracy as it has rapidly become so divided. How do we make sure all of our voices are heard without dividing us? Ranked Choice Voting is a simple change to the ballot that empowers voters to rank...
Minnesota elections could see ranked-choice voting by 2026
A new bill in the Minnesota Legislature, introduced on March 1, would implement ranked-choice voting (RCV) for federal and state elections. The bill most recently had hearings in the House Elections, Finance and Policy Committee and the Senate Committee on State and...
Ranked-choice voting’s time has come
It is time to move forward on ranked-choice voting to reduce polarization and extremism in our politics. I'm proud of Minnesota's national leadership when it comes to voting. We are the "North Star State" when it comes to advancing democracy, and ranked-choice voting...
Matt McNeil with Melisa Lopez Franzen
AM950 Radio · Matt McNeil with Melisa Lopez Franzen (3/30/23)
Peltola testifies on behalf of Oregon and Minnesota ranked choice voting initiatives
U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola testified before the Minnesota and Oregon legislatures on bills that would expand ranked choice voting in those states, a first for the winner of Alaska’s first ranked choice election held last year. Peltola, D-Alaska, won both a special U.S....