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
Bill Would Bring Ranked-Choice Voting To MN State, Federal Elections
ST. PAUL, MN — Two Democrats on Thursday introduced legislation at the Minnesota Capitol that would bring ranked-choice voting to all state and federal elections. Rep. Cedrick Frazier and Sen. Kelly Morrison authored and introduced the "Protect and Advance Democracy"...
Ranked-choice voting in Minnesota?: DFL lawmakers introduce bill
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - DFL lawmakers introduced legislation on Thursday to bring ranked-choice voting for state and federal elections in Minnesota. Currently, ranked-choice voting, which allowed voters to rank candidates in order of preference, is already used in...
New bill at the State Capitol would bring ranked choice voting to Minnesota
SAINT PAUL, Minn. — A group of house and senate Democrats are trying to make Minnesota the third state in the nation to utilize ranked-choice voting. This system of voting is already in place in both Maine and Alaska. Nevada is also looking at the idea and could join...
St. Peter explores ranked choice voting ahead of state bill
From states like Alaska and Maine to municipalities like Minneapolis, St. Paul and New York City, an increasing number of Americans are casting their votes on ranked choice ballots. With more jurisdictions adopting the alternative electoral system, discussions...
March 17 was a big day for Ranked Choice Voting
Capitol Rally for Ranked Choice Voting with Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan and U.S. Representatives Mary Peltola and Dean Phillips, as the Protect & Advance Democracy Act Passes Two More Committees March 18, 2023 By Jeanne Massey and Erin Zamoff What an exciting day...
House elections committee approves expanded use of ranked-choice voting
What can be done about the divide? Political polarization has been an area of concern for several years. Is ranked-choice voting the answer? Does it inspire candidates to build coalitions and find compromises? Or is it cumbersome and deeply unpopular wherever it’s...
Capitol Rally for Ranked Choice Voting with Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan and U.S. Representatives Mary Peltola and Dean Phillips, as the Protect & Advance Democracy Act Has Its First Hearing in the Minnesota House
St. Paul (March 15, 2023) –– On Friday, March 17, the House Elections Committee will hold its first hearing on the Protect and Advance Democracy Act (HF 2486) setting the course to bring Ranked Choice Voting statewide. The hearing will be held at 8:30am CT in Room 5,...
Breaking Poll: Strong Majority of Minnesota Voters Support Switch to Ranked Choice Voting
A new poll, released on March 2, 2023, shows that Minnesota voters strongly support the implementation of Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) in statewide elections. Conducted by Expedition Strategies, the poll finds that a majority — 54% — of voters support RCV and that the...
Legislature should approve expansion of ranked-choice voting
To the Editor: We in St. Louis Park, along with four other cities, have already set an example for Minnesota by electing our leaders using ranked choice voting. It’s time to take this crucial tool of democratic renewal statewide, and a bare majority of our legislators...
Minnesota representative discusses election reform bills with College Democrats
Luke Frederick, Minnesota House Representative from the Minnesota State University area, visited the MSU College Democrats to discuss a ranked choice voting bill that will potentially impact Minnesota elections as well as bills impacting campaign donations. Ranked...