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
The Best Coalition Builder in the Alaska Special Election Won
For Immediate Release Thursday, September 1, 2022 Contact: Erin Zamoff, FairVote MN Communications Director, Erin.Zamoff@fairvotemn.org, (952) 334-8313 THE BEST COALITION BUILDER IN THE ALASKA SPECIAL ELECTION WON Democrat Mary Peltola demonstrates broad...
LETTER: Election poster child for ranked-choice voting
If there were ever an election poster child for ranked-choice voting (RCV), the open election for Hennepin County attorney would be it. This is a nonpartisan race in which the top two candidates in the Aug. 9 primary will advance to the general election in November....
Could a new method of voting come to Minnesota?
Ranked choice voting is already here, having been adopted for municipal elections in cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul.
LETTER: Ranked-choice voting has advantages
Originally published in the Sun Current, August 21, 2022. To the editor: Back in 2020, I voted on the Bloomington ballot for ranked-choice voting after doing some research online and in the local newspapers about it. I thought it had several advantages over the...
LETTER: Bloomington voters have already spoken
Originally published in the Sun Current, July 31, 2022. To the editor: I oppose the effort to repeal Bloomington’s ranked-choice voting ordinance. Bloomington voters approved the ordinance just two years ago, and it worked flawlessly in the first ranked-choice...
LETTER: Ranked-choice voting is here to stay
Originally published in the Sun Current, July 24, 2022. To the editor: Bloomington’s first election using ranked-choice voting was a huge success, which is why we’re more than a bit confused about why some residents are asking for another vote on it. Polling by Edison...
Summer Democracy Internships at FairVote Minnesota
About FairVote Minnesota: FairVote Minnesota is leading the Ranked Choice Voting nonprofit in Minnesota. Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) is a simple but powerful reform that allows voters to rank the candidates in order of preference. It gives voters more choice and power,...
LETTER: Multitude of candidates begs for ranked choice voting
If there were ever an election poster child for Ranked Choice Voting (RCV), the special election to replace First Congressional District Representative Jim Hagedorn is it. With 10 Republicans competing against each other on the primary ballot — and similarly eight...
For Immediate Release: Rally for Democracy at the Minnesota State Capitol with Gov. Walz and Congressional and State Legislative Reform Champions
Contact: Erin Zamoff, FairVote Minnesota Director of Communications and Public Affairs, 952-334-8313 Rally for Democracy at the Minnesota State Capitol with Gov. Walz and Congressional and State Legislative Reform Champions St. Paul (May 2, 2022) -- It is becoming...
New Survey Shows Overwhelming Favorability for Ranked Choice Voting in Federal Elections
By Shawn Griffiths, Published by Independent Voter News April 20, 2022 https://ivn.us/posts/new-survey-shows-overwhelming-favorability-for-ranked-choice-voting-in-federal-elections Only hours after the riot of Jan. 6, 2021, with the calls to “stop the steal” still...