27 Sep 2022 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
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- 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 |
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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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