Local Democratic Resources
How to Write and Submit a Letter to the Editor in Maine
General guidelines:
Length: stay under 350 words, and in some cases 250 words (see below). Shorter is always better. It keeps you focused and increases chances of publication.
Stick to ONE topic. Don’t try to cram a second idea into the letter.
Use any personal examples or experience you can, to make your letter stand out
If you are an authority in any way on the topic—either personally or professionally--consider an Op Ed piece (of up to 650 words)
Mention your Member of Congress’s name (esp. Collins) as that will make sure the letter is seen by her/his office
For weekly papers, submission deadline is usually Thursday or Friday afternoon
Always include your full name, town, and phone number as well as email, (for verification purposes) at the end of your letter/email.
Where to Submit
MAINE TRUST FOR LOCAL NEWS
● Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram (and Kennebec Journal, Lewiston Sun Journal, Morning Sentinal)
Email: letters@metln.org
Postal mail: Letters to the editor, Maine Trust for Local News, P.O. Box 1460, ME 04104
Op-ed: opinion@metln.org. Guidelines here.
● WESTERN MAINE
Advertiser Democrat, Bethel Citizen, Franklin Journal, Livermore Falls Advertiser, Rangeley Highlander, Rumford Falls Times. Submit to any and all via:
● The Forecaster (all editions) and/or American Journal
Online form for both
Email: Forecaster: Editor@theforecaster.net
Email: American Journal: editor@americanjournal.me
Bangor Daily News
Letters: letters@bangordailynews.com
OpEd: under 650 words: OpEd@bangordailynews.com
Brunswick Times Record
Guidelines: <350 words. No simultaneous submissions to other papers
Ellsworth American
Guidelines: < 350 words. Deadline Friday 4 pm.
Email: info@lcnme.com.
MIDCOAST MAINE
The Courier Gazette, Village Soup, Republican Journal, Camden Herald, and The Free Press have merged into The Midcoast Villager
Email: letters@midcoastvillager.com
Twin City Times (Lewiston/Auburn)
(207) 795-5017
editor@twincitytimes.com
5 pm Friday deadline
OTHER WEEKLIES
These are smaller circulation but well worth putting letters in, as local voices mean more to neighbors.
● Aroostook Republican – Caribou
● Augusta Capital Weekly – Augusta
● The Bar Harbor Times – Bar Harbor, published once a week on Thursdays
● The Boothbay Register – Boothbay Harbor, published once a week on Thursdays
● The Bridgton News – Bridgton, published once a week on Thursdays
● The Calais Advertiser – Calais, published once a week on Thursdays
● The Castine Patriot – Castine, published once a week on Thursdays
● The Citizen – Westbrook
● The Current – Westbrook, published once a week on Thursday
● The Houlton Pioneer Times – Houlton, published once a week on Wednesdays
● The Island Ad-Vantages – Stonington, published once a week on Thursdays
● The Island Times – Casco Bay, published monthly
● Lakes Region Suburban Weekly – Westbrook
● The Livermore Falls Advertiser – Livermore Falls, published once a week on Wednesdays
● Machias Valley News Observer – Machias
● Magic City Morning Star – Millinocket
● The Maine Edge – Bangor, published once a week on Wednesdays
● Mount Desert Islander – Bar Harbor, published once a week on Thursdays
● The Penobscot Times – Old Town
● Six Towns Times – Freeport, published weekly on Fridays
● The St. John Valley Times – Madawaska, published once a week on Wednesdays
● The Star-Herald – Presque Isle, published once a week on Wednesdays
● Sun Chronicle – Westbrook)
● The Weekly Packet – Blue Hill, published once a week on Thursdays
● The Weekly Sentinel – Wells, published once a week on Fridays
● Wiscasset Newspaper – Boothbay Harbor, published once a week on Thursdays
● York County Coast Star – Kennebunk, published once a week on Thursdays
● York Weekly – York, published once a week on Wednesdays
Hancock County Democratic Committee
Monthly Hancock County Democratic Committee meetings
Third Thursday of the month at 7pm on Zoom and usually in person as well at the Moore Center in Ellsworth. Advance registration is required to attend by zoom, with registration usually closing at noon the day before. To learn more or for additional information about the group, visit hancockdems.org.
Hancock County Democratic Committee newsletter. A monthly newsletter that typically goes out mid-month. Scroll to the bottom of the home page at hancockdems.org to sign up.
Text alerts. Hancock County Dems is starting a texting network to announce pro-democracy events in Hancock County and elsewhere when quick notice is needed. They are working with Acadia Action, Sweet Fern, Indivisible Bangor and Indivisible Peninsula to compile these vents. To be included, email jkschelling@gmail.com with your cell phone number. You can opt out at any time. Hancock County Dems will not share your information with any other group.
Letter Writer’s Newsletter. To sign up for a Voices newsletter to get actions and writing prompts sent to your inbox, contact vicechair@hancockdems.org.
Social Media:
Hancock County Democrats Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HancockCountyDems
Facebook community forum (join in the discussion): https://www.facebook.com/groups/hancockcountydemscommunity
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hancockdems
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hancockcountydems.bsky.social
Congressional Representatives
Senator Susan Collins: Email: www.collins.senate.gov/contact/email-senator-collins/form
Phone: (202) 224-2523 (DC office), (207) 945-0417 (Bangor office)
Senator Angus King: Email www.king.senate.gov/contact
Phone: (202) 224-5344 (DC office), (207) 945-8000 (Bangor office)
Representative Jared Golden: Email: golden.house.gov/contact
Phone: (202) 224-3121 (DC office), (207) 249-7400 (Bangor office)
Representative Chellie Pingree: Email: https://pingree.house.gov/contact/
Phone: (202) 225-6116 (DC office), (207) 774-5019 (Portland office)
State Representatives
Sen. Nicole Grohoski (District 7)
Email: Nicole.Grohoski@legislature.maine.gov
State House phone: (207) 287-1515; Cell: (207) 358-8333
Committees:
Taxation (chair)
Energy, Utilities, and Technology
Engrossed Bills
Rep. Holly Eaton (District 15)
Email: Holly.Eaton@legislature.maine.gov
Phone: (207) 610-9281
Committees:
Marine Resources
Transportation