We want to remind participants of the Hometown Forum of some of the deadlines and rules for letters and guest columns as the Albert Lea area enters the final stretch of election season.

1. Candidates get one guest column between now and the Sunday before the Nov. 2 election. However, they must turn in their guest column by 5 p.m. Oct. 19. This gives the editor time and space to get the columns into print.

2. As usual, there is a 500-word limit on letters. One per writer per week. Each letter must have a single author. As always, the Tribune editors serve as referees and have the final call. See the letters policy on this page under “Send Your Comments.”

3. The deadline for letters political in nature is 5 p.m. Oct. 28. The final day the Tribune will print political letters is the Sunday before Election Day.

4. Any letters that attempt to throw a last-minute bomb into any race will be dealt with through journalism written by news reporters, with responses by both sides, rather than being printed verbatim.

5. The Tribune attempts to print all letters that meet the requirements of the letters policy, with preference for letters from the Albert Lea Tribune coverage area.

Feel free to cut this editorial out and save it for future reference.

Here is the full letters policy:

Send Your Comments

Send letters via mail to Letters to the Editor, Albert Lea Tribune, P.O. Box 60, Albert Lea, MN 56007, or via e-mail to news@albertleatribune.com with the subject “Letter to the Editor.” Letters cannot exceed 500 words. They must have one author. Petitions are not printed. Letters must include address and telephone number for verification purposes — only your name and city of residence will be printed. Each author may write one letter per calendar week. Letters are published as soon as space allows. To request a guest column, contact Managing Editor Tim Engstrom at 379-3433. Feel free to call if you don’t see your letter.