Share your candidate endorsements
In case you’d forgotten, there’s an election coming up.
Pretty big one, too.
While many eyes (and tempers) are firmly affixed to the presidential race, that’s far from the only important contest on Nov. 8. Congressional, state legislative and county commission seats are all up for grabs. So focusing on presidential politics, as fascinating as they might be, at the exclusion of everything else would be a huge voter mistake.
Over the next 10 weeks or so, the editorial staff of The Press will do its best to inform you about the local races, but as always, we ask for readers’ help. An important and powerful piece of the political puzzle is endorsing candidates. That’s where you come in.
From now until shortly before the election, we’re publishing candidate endorsement letters from our readers. If you’re new to this exercise, here are a few guidelines:
• Letters can be no longer than 275 words.
• Only one candidate endorsement letter per writer, per election cycle is allowed. That means you can use 275 words to endorse one candidate, or as many candidates as you’d like — but you’re still limited to one 275-word letter.
• From now to the election, letters from candidates will not be published.
• If you’re stating something as fact — particularly when criticizing a candidate — make sure your assertion is true.
• Letter-writing campaigns encouraged by candidates are discouraged. This opportunity for free advertising should come from readers who passionately support one or more candidates.
• Submit your letter soon. Writers who wait until just a few days before the election risk not having their letters published at all.
The most effective letters give specific reasons why your chosen candidate(s) should receive voters’ support, but this forum is open to opinions of all kinds. Our goal is to give readers as much information as we can to help them make the best decisions about whom to support.
So there you have it; the political ball is in your court.
Write your letter and email it to: mpatrick@cdapress.com
Be sure your name, city of residence and telephone number are on the letter. We will not share your phone number.
While we prefer letters to be emailed, we also accept hand-written and typed letters. Drop them off at The Press, 215 N. Second St. in downtown Coeur d’Alene, or mail them to:
Mike Patrick
Managing Editor
Coeur d’Alene Press
215 N. Second St.
Coeur d’Alene, ID. 83814
Now’s the time to speak out. Daily readership of The Press, in print and online, is around 60,000 people. Don’t underestimate your opportunity to influence a local election.