Letters to the Editor Guide

To the Editor

Letters to the Editor Guide

What Can You Do When it Seems Like You’re the Only Dem in Town?
Take that frustration and turn it into a letter to the editor (LTE). LTEs are a powerful way to educate your neighbors and drive change in your town, Augusta, and D.C. Folks are much more likely to listen to you, a community member, than a talking head! The more of us writing LTEs about the good work Dems are doing, the more our neighbors will see that we’re a party of solutions.

Jump to: LTE Writing Tips | Local Papers | Recently published LTEs

LTE Writing Tips

    • Keep it brief. Most newspapers have a limit of 250-350 words for LTEs, although weekly newspapers may accept longer letters.
    • Stay on topic. Discuss only one issue or candidate per letter.
    • Be clear, concise and factual. Keep your sentences short and make your point clearly and early. If you have facts to back up your position, use them. Avoid exaggeration or hyperbole.
    • Make it personal. Are you writing about an issue that affects you, your family, or your community? Supporting a particular candidate because of something they’ve done that has helped you? Sharing your story will personalize the issue or candidate for other readers.
    • Keep it positive. Be positive, respectful, and offer solutions whenever possible! Avoid insulting or smearing those with different opinions or opposing candidates.
    • Finish strong.  End with an action you want readers to take. (e.g. Please join me in thanking/voting for Gov. Mills!)

Looking for some inspiration? Read some recent LTEs by Lincoln County residents or find tips and talking points from the Maine Dems.

Local Papers

Publication Notes & Deadlines Contact
Lincoln County News 5 PM Tuesday

LTEs: Please include your name and town of residence as the signature
info@lcnme.com
Boothbay Register 3 PM Monday
(no election-related letters will be printed within the week of an election)
LTEs: Your letter should reflect your opinion in a respectful manner and be 350 words or fewer. Include your full name, address and phone number in case the editor has a question about your letter.
news@boothbayregister.com
Wiscasset Newspaper 3 PM Monday
(no election-related letters will be printed within the week of an election)
LTEs: Your letter should reflect your opinion in a respectful manner and be 350 words or fewer. Include your full name, address and phone number in case the editor has a question about your letter.
news@wiscassetnewspaper.com
Bangor Daily News Letters should be no more than 250 words, and may be edited or rejected for clarity, taste, libel and space.

OpEd commentary usually runs 600 to 700 words.

If a letter or OpEd is published, submissions by the same writer will not be considered for 60 days
letters@bangordailynews.com

or through this form
Free Press noon Thursday

Be sure to include your name, address, phone number and email.
copyedit@freepressonline.com

or through this form
Times Record Commentaries are limited to 650 words; letters to 350 words.

Include your first and last name, the name of the community in which you live, and a phone number for verification purposes.

Letters endorsing candidates or campaign issues must be received 10 days before an election; letters written by candidates on any subject must be received 30 days before an election.
letters@timesrecord.com

or through this form
The Forecaster Noon on Fridays

Letters are limited to 300 words.

Include your first and last name, the name of the community in which you live, and a phone number for verification purposes.

Letters endorsing candidates or campaign issues must be received 10 days before an election; letters written by candidates on any subject must be received 30 days before an election.
editor@theforecaster.net

or through this form
Village Soup News

Courier Gazette
Friday news@villagesoup.com
Maine Beacon press@mainebeacon.com
Working Waterfront No candidate endorsements tgroening@islandinstitute.org
Town Line
townline@fairpoint.net
Morning Sentinel

Kennebec Journal
Letters to the editor should contain no more than 300 words. The Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel reserve the right to edit the letters. letters@centralmaine.com

or through this form
Press Herald Letters to the editor should contain no more than 250 words. The Portland Press Herald reserves the right to edit the letters for length. letterstotheeditor@pressherald.com

or through this form
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