Grassroots Accountability Campaign
OP-ED/LTE GUIDE
Writing an Op-Ed (or LTE) Using the Grassroots Accountability Report
A powerful way to hold lawmakers accountable for their votes is through an op-ed or letter to the editor (LTE). Public accountability in your local paper holds lawmakers responsible for their votes on your behalf. This guide will help you write the most powerful op-ed possible!
What makes this kind of op-ed or LTE powerful is that it’s not just about a bill or issue. You’re giving your neighbors useful, new information—most folks have no idea how their legislators vote on their behalf! You’re also holding a lawmaker accountable for those votes. You’re asking your community to consider if those votes truly represented their best interests. In doing so, you’re building a more informed and engaged electorate in your town.
STEP 1:
Using the 2026 Grassroots Accountability Report, pick a specific lawmaker or lawmakers, and specific votes they made, that you want to write about. Keep your focus something that will resonate with your audience, especially if you’re writing for a local paper.
Look at a Better Wyoming Narrative Guide (password: bw-resources) if one exists on your issue, for expert guidance on maximizing your persuasive power.
STEP 2:
Start writing by stating clearly why you agree or disagree with their vote, and why it’s good or bad for your community.
STEP 3:
Flesh out your argument with powerful stories, useful details, or perhaps a good metaphor. Below this guide, you can see a great example of an LTE submitted last year.
You may also find it helpful to look at your legislator’s 2025 voting record.
Keep op-eds to around 650 words, and LTEs to around 300.
STEP 4:
If you’d like: run your op-ed or LTE by the Better Wyoming team! We’re here to support you in making your piece as powerful as possible. Send it to Daniel (daniel@betterwyo.org), and he’ll make sure our team of communications experts reviews it.
Please be sure to let us know once your piece is published!
STEP 5:
Submit your piece! Editors will only accept pieces submitted directly by the writer. We cannot submit for you.
Email subject: “Submission: [piece title]”
Email: Dear [editor],
I submit to you this opinion piece for publication in the [outlet name]. Please let me know if you are interested or if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
[your name]
Then paste the op-ed or LTE below your signature. If you don’t hear back in a couple days, send a follow-up email.
STEP 6:
When it’s published, share it out far and wide! Here are some ways to do so:
- Make sure to send it to us, or let us know it’s been published. We’ll share it out with the whole BW network!
- Share it on your social media, in community pages, etc.
- Text it out to friends...and ask them to share it too!
EXAMPLE (a real LTE published last year, using the 2025 GAC):
