One way you can help new voters

Lincoln Day Dinner is done.

Many candidates have announced.

Many others are expected to in the days ahead.

The political band is already playing. Primary elections used to be about as dramatic as a game of shuffleboard with your granny. Now? Well, considering the last time a Democrat was elected to a state office — 20 years ago, in fact — it’s not a question of which color will win, but which shade of red will emerge from the many May 17 fistfights.

Seeing as how we’ve officially received our first candidate endorsement letter of the primary season (thank you, Jim Hollingsworth), we’d better lay out some rules.

First, The Press will happily accept, at no charge, letters endorsing candidates. However:

• Only letters from Press subscribers will be published in the Letters to the Editor columns. It’s a free service to our customers. All others may certainly purchase advertising touting their candidates of choice.

• Only one endorsement letter per writer will be accepted. You can endorse a whole slate of folks, or one very special person. Your call.

• Your letter can’t exceed 250 words.

• Letters will be published on a space-available basis. Word to the wise: Don’t wait until May 15 to email your letter. The sooner you submit your endorsement letter, the more likely it will see the light of print (and digital publication, too).

• Email your letters to: mpatrick@cdapress.com

• Mail them to: Editor, CDA Press, 215 N. Second St., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814

Newspaper subscribers are unquestionably the best-informed voters on local races. In Kootenai County, The Press has added hundreds of new subscribers each month for more than a year, mostly people who have recently moved here. These folks could benefit from the advice of those who know the issues and the players best — namely, all of you who have called this great place home for years and have some insights newcomers haven’t had time to acquire.

In that sense, your endorsement letter won’t just shine a light on those you support. It will brighten the room for others who haven’t quite located the local political light switch.