We extend congratulations to candidates who won their primary election races Tuesday. Now each race has one or two candidates. We can get down to the brass tacks. Voters, incumbents, challengers and proponents and opponents of ballot measures are set for the fall campaign season leading to the Nov. 7 general election.

We look forward to a fair campaign season. Let&8217;s see if we can do the people of Freeborn County a favor and keep the elections clean and honest. Dialogue is healthy for the people to know the candidates and to know what other people think about the candidates. This is democracy in action. It takes place right here, on this page, particularly in the &8220;Your Comments&8221; section, commonly called letters to the editor.

In that spirit, today we again publish the election season letters policy. This policy is meant to encourage fair and healthy dialogue. Please write. Share your opinion. Let&8217;s get this town talking so on Election Day we&8217;ve had a good discussion before we vote. It&8217;s the right way to do it.

Election season letters policy

The Tribune welcomes letters to the editor as they as good for healthy dialogue, which benefits the democratic process. That said, it is good to officiate the Hometown Forum so everyone benefits. Therefore the following rules are in place:

Each author is limited to one letter to the editor per calendar week. (To be sure, this policy does not concern other apolitical submissions such as weddings, engagements, Nice to Know, obituaries, dean&8217;s lists, check-passing photos, etc.)

The Tribune will not accept letters concerning election politics after 5 p.m. Nov. 2. The last edition election letters will be published is Nov. 5. No letters concerning races will be published in the Nov. 6 and Nov. 7 editions. The general election is Nov. 7.

The Tribune attempts to publish all letters within the word limit of 500 with some exceptions:

Any letters that are preposterous or libelous will not be published. Unproven accusations will need to be investigated as true before they are published. As news and comment can be unpredictable, the Tribune reserves the right to make decisions as cases arise. Most of all, we seek a fair and open forum for dialogue.

Guest columns

Each candidate can have one guest column before the general election. Candidates must submit guest columns well in advance. Deadlines for candidate guest columns are 5 p.m. Oct. 12. Guest columns are limited to 800 words and must publish with a mugshot photograph.