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
Lonsdale Area News-Review: Frustrated by status quo, activists push for ranked-choice voting
Andrew Deziel in the Lonsdale Area News-Review At a time when voters are increasingly frustrated by partisan polarization, some activists are pushing for electoral reform they argue could help to solve the problem — but not everyone is on board. FairVote Minnesota, a...
White Bear Press: Check out ranked-choice voting
Mike Krachmer in the White Bear Press I am not a political extremist, I am not prone to hyperbole, and I don’t easily get worked up. Nonetheless, I must express that I am deeply alarmed by the degree to which polarization, disinformation and negative...
Duluth News Tribune: Reader’s View: Ranked voting means more choices
Dave Updegraff in The Duluth News Tribune: There are bills pending in St. Paul about ranked-choice voting. This, at the most fundamental level, is recognition that back here in the real world "second best" is not the same as "worst." Contrary to what the sincere and...
Mankato Free Press: Minnesota needs ranked choice voting
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....
FairVote MN to host: “Democracy Reform is our Nation’s #1 Priority with US Rep. Angie Craig, Lee Drutman and MN Rep. Cedrick Frazier
Contact: Jeanne Massey, FairVote Minnesota Executive Director, jeanne.massey@fairvotemn.org, 612-850-6897 St. Paul (January 28, 2021) -- We are at a perilous time in our democracy, and there are growing calls to fortify it against growing threats. FairVote Minnesota...
Albert Lea Tribune: My Point of View: Ranked choice voting would help reduce polarization
Jen Vogt-Erickson in The Albert Lea Tribune: Have you ever wanted to vote for an independent candidate but felt like it was equivalent to throwing your vote away? Or that voting for your favorite candidate would inadvertently help a candidate whom you liked the...
Washington Post: There’s a reason why Lisa Murkowski can threaten to leave the Republicans
Lee Drutman in The Washington Post: On Friday, Sen. Lisa Murkowksi (R-Alaska) became the first Republican senator to call on President Trump to resign. “I want him out,” Murkowksi told a reporter. “He has caused enough damage.” In the same interview, Murkowksi also...
FairVote MN Blog: Statement from FairVote MN’s Executive Director on Yesterday’s Insurrection at the Capitol
Jeanne Massey, FairVote Minnesota Executive Director: Friends, Our worst fears about our democracy were realized yesterday. The horrific events, and those responsible for them, are a stain on our history and democracy itself. When elected leaders spread lies about...
Fighting for our Democracy with Secretary of State Steve Simon
Amazing! More than 100 people joined us on December 27th for our special zoom event, Fighting for our Democracy with Special Guest Secretary of State Steve Simon. For a full recording of the event, click here. Secretary Simon outlined the unique challenges posed by...
Republican-Eagle: Elections should be fair to voters and candidates
Dag Knudsen in the Republican-Eagle / Pierce County Herald: Millions upon millions of dollars are spent on helping voters select the candidate that best represents their values. Yet, when the ballots are cast, the Minnesota election system creates results that...