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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

Teen Vogue: What Is Ranked-Choice Voting? Here’s How It Works

Oct 6, 2020

Lauren Young in Teen Vogue:  Voting in Maine will look a little different this year. Mainers are among the roughly 10 million voting-age adults living in an area that uses, or has adopted and will soon use, a method known as “ranked-choice voting” (RCV). In November,...

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Guest Blog: Reforming Politics Through Ranked Choice Voting

Oct 6, 2020

Laura Hannemann: After our recent presidential debate, I think you’d be hard-pressed to find an American who doesn’t want our politicians to do better. Democrats and Republicans alike have resorted to blaming, fact-less arguments, and personal insults rather than...

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Harvard Ash Center: Ranked Choice Voting Gains Momentum

Sep 21, 2020

Cecily Hines and Miles Rapoport in Medium / Harvard Ash Center: Nationwide, there is increasing discussion about the advantages of Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). Particularly in this historic period of polarization and discord, RCV is gaining momentum because it offers...

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