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
Ranked-choice voting’s benefits were realized
Source: https://www.hometownsource.com/sun_sailor/community/minnetonka/letter-ranked-choice-voting-appears-to-be-a-success/article_e73695a0-417c-11ec-8a92-47e6b73f2f00.html To the editor: Thank you to every voter, candidate and election official who...
Minneapolis hits record for turnout in a municipal election, with 54% of voters casting ballots
Original Publication Minneapolis hits record for turnout in a municipal election, with 54% of voters casting ballots More Minneapolis voters cast ballots in Tuesday's election than any other municipal election in recent history. The election drew a...
Shaw: Minnesota needs ranked-choice voting
Original Publication By Jim Shaw FARGO — One of the great failures in the last session of the Minnesota Legislature was the body's decision to not approve election reform. It’s badly needed. Sen. Kent Eken, DFL-Audubon, pushed a great idea called ranked-choice...
LETTER: Ranked-choice voting appears to be a success
Original Publication To the Editor: Minnetonka held its first election with ranked-choice voting. Did it measure up to expectations? We had 12 total candidates for three offices, the most ever for a Minnetonka City Council election. With a shorter campaign...
Almanac: Ranked Choice Voting in Minneapolis
Mary Lahammer learned how Minneapolitans are getting used to ranking candidates. Watch the full episode here. Season 2022 Episode 10
Sun Current – Incumbents retain seats in Bloomington’s city, school elections
Original Publication It took three days of hand counting to determine that the leaders on Election Day were the winners, but Bloomington completed its first ranked-choice voting election for its City Council on Saturday. By contrast, with four...
Ranked Choice Voting Wins Again in Historic Local Minnesota Elections
For Immediate Release Contact: Jeanne Massey, FairVote Minnesota Executive Director, jeanne.massey@fairvotemn.org, 612-850-6897 Ranked Choice Voting Wins Again in Historic Local Minnesota Elections Minneapolis/St. Paul (November 4, 2021) – 2021 is a...
What to expect from this year’s RCV elections in Minnesota
October 29, 2021 To: Media and Other Interested Parties From: Jeanne Massey, FairVote MN Executive Director Re: What to Expect from the 2021 Ranked-Choice Elections in Minnesota This memorandum is the third and final in our series to educate the media, candidates...
Letter: Tips for ranking your choices
Original Publication To the editor: Election Day is almost here. This year Bloomington is using ranked-choice voting for its city council elections. As an election judge for the past five years, I know how few people voted in the primary in the past....
Letter: Election will prove ranked-choice voting is practical
With this election, Bloomington will be helping to prove that ranked-choice voting is a practical and effective way to conduct elections in suburban cities, paving the way for the use of ranked-choice voting in school board elections, where it would be really helpful this year, and in legislative races and statewide elections under legislation which I have sponsored.