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
Minnesota Reformer – Stop using the ignorant ‘We’re a republic not a democracy’ line
Minnesota Reformer — Stop using the ignorant 'We're a republic not a democracy' lineBy John Micek Who knew that America was filled with so many amateur social studies teachers? Whenever I write about Republican-led efforts in state capitols across the land to sharply...
The Washington Post – Opinion: Maya Wiley: I lost the NYC mayoral race, but women and minorities win with ranked-choice voting
The Washington Post — Opinion: Maya Wiley: I lost the NYC mayoral race, but women and minorities win with ranked-choice voting Opinion By Maya Wiley Maya Wiley is a civil rights lawyer and a former candidate for New York mayor. A Black middle-aged woman, slender and...
Intelligencer – The Big Winner of the NYC Mayor’s Race Was Ranked Choice Voting
Intelligencer — The Big Winner of the NYC Mayor's Race Was Ranked Choice Voting By Lee Drutman The New York City mayor’s race briefly descended into chaos this week when an employee at the city’s Board of Elections mistakenly tabulated 135,000 test ballots — adding...
Bemidji Pioneer — LETTER TO THE EDITOR: It’s time to consider ranked-choice voting
Bemidji Pioneer — LETTER TO THE EDITOR: It's time to consider ranked-choice voting Shakespeare wrote "A plague o' both your houses!" in Romeo and Juliet. He could have been talking about our significantly dysfunctional Minnesota legislature and our entirely...
SUNThisweek — Letter: Ranked choice voting is a better way
SUNThisweek— Letter: Ranked choice voting is a better way To the editor: In Minnesota, we keep hearing about ranked-choice voting. Wonder what it is? RCV is a simple change to the way we vote when more than two people are on the ballot. Vote for a true...
RCV Bloomington — Letter: Competition Improves Politics, Too
Ranked Choice Voting Bloomington— Letter: Competition Improves Politics, Too Submitted (unpublished) Letter to the Editor, Bloomington Sun Current Last November, I was happy to cast a Yes vote to adopt Ranked Choice Voting for our local elections, and I’m excited to...
Eden Prairie Local News — Rank Choice Voting: A non-partisan reform that offers hope
Eden Prairie Local News — Rank Choice Voting: A non-partisan reform that offers hope As citizens, we have the privilege to vote for the candidates who best represent our views on many complicated issues. Unfortunately, our current system of extreme...
Shakopee Valley News — Letter: We deserve a system that protects and empowers us
Shakopee Valley News — Letter: We deserve a system that protects and empowers us Like many, I vote based on my values and my hopes for the future of our country. Right now, our electoral system (plurality voting) hinders the power behind our votes. It forces us to...
Pioneer Press — Special Sessions aren’t so special anymore for the MN Legislature. How did it get this way?
Pioneer Press — Special Sessions aren't so special anymore for the MN Legislature. How did it get this way? By Bill Salisbury There they go again. The Minnesota Legislature will likely blow through Monday’s constitutional deadline for adjourning for this year...
Sun Current — Letter: State should not prohibit ranked-choice voting
Sun Current — Letter: State should not prohibit ranked-choice voting To the editor: I am disappointed, though not surprised, the state legislature is considering bills that would impede the ease of voting. But I am shocked that Minnesota Senate leaders...