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
SW News Media: It’s time to pass Ranked Choice Voting
Ali Chechem Ali in SW News Media: At first blush you may be merely frustrated that 52.5% of Shakopee voted for a progressive candidate but because of the vote-splitting spoiler effect, Republican Erik Mortenson will represent our community in St. Paul. But in truth,...
Washington Post: Next up for Never Trumpers
Jennifer Rubin in The Washington Post: The first and essential goal for Never Trumpers — the general description for the loose affiliation of former Republicans and anti-Trump Republicans who worked on behalf of President-elect Joe Biden — was accomplished with the...
The Mankato Free Press: Minnesota needs to implement Ranked Choice Voting
Katie Boone in the Mankato Free Press: The most untold, disturbing story of the 2020 elections? That democracy-degrading political operatives have evidently begun manipulating voters by gaming a weakness in how we vote. We learned in October that conservative...
Sun Current: Competitive, robust elections coming
Laura Calbone and Marcia Wattson in The Sun Current: We are thrilled that ranked-choice voting passed and that Bloomington voters will begin using it in mayoral and city council elections starting next year. Thank you to everyone who voted yes on ballot question 3,...
Sun Current: Ranked-choice voting effort appreciated
Richard Laybourn in The Sun Current: Laura Calbone and Marcia Wattson deserve much appreciation for spearheading a one-and-a-half year, sustained effort to successfully help pass ranked-choice voting in Bloomington with the assistance of many dedicated volunteers....
Boston Globe: Vote yes on Question 2
The Boston Globe Editorial Board: It’s the linchpin of any functioning democracy: Citizens choose their leaders. But too often in this country, the will of constituents is thwarted, and we elect officials who don’t have the support of a majority of voters....
Victory for Ranked Choice Voting in Two Minnesota Cities: Minnetonka and Bloomington Adopt RCV
Jeanne Massey, FairVote Minnesota Executive Director: For Immediate Release Contact: Jeanne Massey, FairVote Minnesota Executive Director, jeanne.massey@fairvotemn.org, 612-850-6897 Victory for Ranked Choice Voting in Two Minnesota Cities: Voters in Bloomington and...
Guest Blog: Yes is the Answer
Rep Steve Elkins and Ann Johnson Stewart: Your voice can save democracy this November 3. That statement may sound overly dramatic, but it is not an exaggeration. At the local, state, and national levels, elections have made some people feel that they don’t have a...
Guest Blog: Bloomington’s leaders of years past say “Vote Yes”
Coral Houle, Fmr Bloomington Mayor, and Karen Nordstrom, Fmr Bloomington Council Member: In our years serving the Bloomington community, we have always strived to make local government more effective, inclusive and accessible. Ranked Choice Voting offers that...
Guest Blog: Scheming to thwart the will of the majority should not be tolerated
Jo Haugen: In an Oct. 28 article, the Star Tribune reported that Minnesota Republicans recruited Legal Marijuana Now candidate, Adam Weeks, who tragically died last month, to “pull votes” from DFL Rep. Angie Craig in the 2nd Congressional District -- and paid him...