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
Wasted votes are one more reason for Ranked Choice Voting
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jeanne Massey, Executive Director, FairVote Minnesota; (612) 850-6897; jeanne.massey@fairvotemn.org In the wake of three major presidential candidates dropping out on the eve of Super Tuesday, voters and advocates for election reform...
Dean Phillips introduces bill to advance Ranked Choice Voting
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jeanne Massey, FairVote Minnesota Executive Director, jeanne.massey@fairvotemn.org; 612-850-6897 February 28, 2020 (St. Paul, Minnesota) -- Yesterday, Congressman Dean Phillips (D-3rd District, MN) and Senators Michael Bennett (D-CO)...
New York Times: The primaries are just dumb, there is a better way to do democracy
By the New York Times Editorial Board How fitting that Twitter — a social media platform apparently built for bickering — co-sponsored a political debate on Tuesday night that often descended into an unintelligible screaming match among too many candidates whose...
Star Tribune: Ranked Choice Voting for the Presidential Primary? This time, obviously not. But next time, please?
By U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips, Penny and Bill George, Tom Horner, Peter Hutchinson and Karla Ekdahl in the Star Tribune. Opinion editor’s note: This article was submitted on behalf of several Minnesotans who are active in state and national politics. They are listed...
New York Times: Trumps Election may have been the shock we needed
Lee Drutman in the New York Times As impeachment mania grips Washington, it is easy to descend into an ever-deepening political pessimism. But as odd as it may seem, for the first time in years, I’m optimistic about the future of American democracy. It might be...
Impacts or Ranked Choice Voting on St. Louis Park Municipal Election
Media Advisory Briefing Majority winner in a Single Higher Turnout General Election and Other Impacts of Ranked Choice Voting on St. Louis Park’s Municipal Elections What: Media briefing on the impact of Ranked Choice Voting on the November 5, 2019 municipal elections...
MinnPost: Political divisiveness calls for master reform
Jeanne Massey in MinnPost Our current state of extreme divisiveness didn’t start under the current presidency, but it has certainly intensified. The accelerating polarization we are experiencing is not just something we feel and believe to be true; the data show that...
Star Tribune: Minnesotans: Don’t be the spoilers in 2020.
Lori Sturdevant in the Star Tribune With no real hope of winning, third-party presidential candidates serve as spoilers. They thwart majority rule, undermine the winner’s legitimacy and risk an undesirable outcome. Even when they bring worthy issues to the fore (see...
New York Times: Democracy in Crisis
Review of Larry Diamond's Ill Winds: Saving Democracy from Russian Rage, Chinese Ambition, and American Complacency in the New York Times. China today holds as many as a million Uighurs and other Turkic Muslim minorities in “political education” camps. Across China,...
Star Tribune: MN Business Leaders ask MN Legislature to support Ranked Choice Voting
Minnesota Business Leaders in the Star Tribune. Opinion editor's note: This commentary was signed by multiple Minnesota business leaders. They are listed below. We are writing to urge the Minnesota Legislature to support the Ranked-Choice Voting Local Options bill...