Now is the time to submit your election-related letters

SCOTT AYERS - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

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Today you can read almost a full page of letters to the editor.

About a month ago I told you that we were relatively short of letters and that it was a good time to write if you were so inclined.

But October is always our busiest month for letters and you can see that reflected in how much space we are devoting to making sure your comments are published. Already we have stopped running Our View editorials on Saturday to make room for letters. And this is the second Sunday we have taken extra space to get your letters in the paper.

Things are only going to get busier.

So I have one piece of advice for anyone hoping to get letters about the upcoming election published - send your letter in as soon as possible.

We never publish letters about the elections after the Sunday before election day. This year that is Nov. 2. Traditionally that has meant we can't publish letters we receive after the Friday before election day.

So if you want to write a letter about the election that will be published in the newspaper before Election Day, I'd encourage you to get your letter to me no later than Monday, Oct. 27.

Smart authors who really want to make an impact will write even sooner. Vote-by-mail ballots in this year's election should start arriving in Whatcom County mailboxes by Saturday, Oct. 17. Some voters may even cast their ballots that weekend. Many more will cast their ballots sometime over the 10 days between the Oct. 17 and Oct. 26. So I'd encourage anyone with anything to say on any of the ballot measures or candidates on the ballot this year to get their letters to me in the next two weeks or so.

As always, we will do everything we can to make sure your letters are published in a timely manner. You can expect me to run fewer and fewer guest columns and editorials throughout the month so that your letters can be published. Letters from Whatcom County residents are the top priority for publication . But it is already taking about a week to get letters verified and in the newspaper. That lag time will likely increase some as the election gets closer.

So I encourage all of you who have something to say to act fast. I promise I will do everything in my power to get your letters published in a timely manner. But that process is better for you if you can get your thoughts on paper, or in E-mail, and send them to us soon.

There are a few ways to get your letters in:

Go to TheBellinghamHerald.com and click on the "submit a letter" link, where you can fill out a form and submit a letter online.

E-mail your letter to letters@bellinghamherald.com.

Mail your letter to Letters c/o The Bellingham Herald, P.O. Box 1277, Bellingham, WA, 98227.

I look forward to reading what you have to say.

Scott Ayers is opinion editor of The Bellingham Herald. E-mail him at scott.ayers@bellinghamherald.com

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