Help rally the voters

With North Idaho politics dominated by all things GOP and many of the hottest contests already decided in the May primary, the general election now less than eight weeks away is virtually meaningless, right?

Wrong.

Within The Press readership area, several legislative seats are up for grabs. The balance of power on the important Board of County Commissioners will be determined, with two newcomers assured victory. And there's plenty more, including the election of someone who will lead the state, someone who will lead Idaho's public schools, and a proposed amendment to the Idaho Constitution that few people seem to know about.

That said, between now and early November, the Opinion pages will give high priority to letters on local political issues, as well as letters endorsing local candidates. As a brief refresher:

* Endorsement letters have a strict word limit - 300 or fewer words.

* Only one endorsement letter per writer will be published during the campaign season. If you wish to endorse more than one candidate in a single letter, that's fine, but the 300-word limit still applies.

* If there isn't enough space in the print edition of The Press for all endorsement letters submitted, highest priority will be given to writers living in the legislative districts of the endorsed candidates. In other words, an endorsement letter from someone living in Boise for a legislative candidate from Coeur d'Alene will receive a lower priority than a letter from someone living in Coeur d'Alene endorsing a candidate in District 4.

* Please don't wait until the week before the election to submit endorsement letters. The later you submit it, the greater the chance it won't be published.

* Endorsement letters may be encouraged by candidates, but letter-writing campaigns are discouraged.

* Endorsement letters should be written by the person whose name appears at the bottom of the letter.

What makes a good endorsement letter? Accurate background about and personal insights into the candidates. But these are opinion pieces, so it's fair to say why you think your candidate will do a better job than will her or his opponent. As with all letters to the editor, please ensure your name, city of residence and phone number - in case we need to call and clarify anything - are included. We will not publish your phone number or address.

Any questions, please email Mike Patrick: mpatrick@cdapress.com.