The Stillwegian invites members of our community to submit endorsement letters in support of candidates on 2026 ballots. Published letters will appear alongside candidate bios and questionnaire responses as part of our voter guide coverage.
This is your opportunity to tell your neighbors why you support a candidate and why you believe they deserve their vote. We want to hear your genuine, considered perspective — written in your own words.
tl;dr
Ready to submit? Here's what you need to know:
- Members only. Use the email address associated with your Stillwegian account. Sign up free if you haven't already — no paid subscription required.
- One candidate per letter. Submit a separate letter for each candidate you endorse.
- 150 to 300 words. Your own words. Make a positive case for your candidate.
- No attacks. Do not mention opposing candidates. Letters that do will be rejected outright, no exceptions.
- Your thoughts, your writing. AI may help you polish — not think.
- Deadline: 11:59 p.m., Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
Read the full guidelines below before submitting.
What we're looking for
A strong endorsement letter makes a personal, affirmative case for your candidate. Tell readers:
- Who you are and how you know the candidate or why you've followed their work
- What qualities, experience, or values make them the right choice for this office
- What you believe they will accomplish for the community
The best letters are specific. A letter that shares a concrete personal experience or observation — something only you could write — is far more compelling to readers than one that repeats general talking points.
What we will not publish
To keep this section fair and focused, we will not publish letters that:
- Attack, criticize, or make negative claims about any opposing candidate
- Mention opposing candidates by name
- Contain unverified factual claims about any person
- Are submitted on behalf of a campaign or organization rather than an individual member
- Are submitted by a candidate about themselves
Letters that include attacks on opponents will be returned to the sender. We will not selectively remove the offensive portions and publish the rest — the entire letter must meet these standards as submitted.
Requirements
Free Membership: Submitting an endorsement letter is a privilege for Stillwegian readers. You must be a registered member of The Stillwegian to submit — free membership is all that is required, and no paid subscription is needed for your letter to be considered for publication. Membership simply allows us to confirm your identity and reach you if we have questions before publishing.
Submit using the email address associated with your Stillwegian account. If you are not yet a member, you can sign up for free at thestillwegian.news/subscribe — then return here and submit using that same email address.
One candidate per letter: Submit a separate letter for each candidate you wish to endorse. Do not combine endorsements for multiple candidates in a single submission.
Length: Letters must be between 150 and 300 words. We will not publish letters shorter than 150 words or longer than 300 words. This floor exists because we want your genuine, developed thought — not a single sentence. The ceiling ensures the section remains readable for everyone.
Name and hometown: Your full name and city of residence will be published with your letter. Submissions without a full name will not be considered.
Relationship disclosure: If you have a formal relationship with the candidate or their campaign — family member, paid staffer, official volunteer, or major donor — you must disclose that in your letter. We will publish that disclosure alongside your letter.
A note on AI
We understand that many people use AI tools to help with writing, and we are not categorically opposed to that. Our standard is this: your thoughts must be your own. Write your endorsement yourself, then use AI to help you clarify, tighten, or polish what you've already written. Do not ask AI to generate the substance or argument of your letter.
Before submitting, have at least one other person — a friend, neighbor, or family member — read your letter and give you feedback. You are writing for your community, and it shows when a letter has been thoughtfully reviewed. We will be the final editor, but we will not help you develop your argument or refine your position. That work is yours to do before you submit.
By submitting, you are acknowledging that your thoughts and views are entirely your own, that you used AI only to clarify or polish your writing after drafting it yourself, and that you did not use AI to generate the substance or argument of the letter.
Where your letter will be published
Accepted letters will be published on The Stillwegian website, where they are publicly accessible to all readers. We may also share accepted letters in their entirety on The Stillwegian's social media channels.
If you do not want your letter shared on social media, indicate that in your submission. We will respect that preference and publish your letter on the website only. Your opt-out will not affect your eligibility for publication.
What happens after you submit
We will confirm receipt of your submission by email. If we have questions — about your membership, your relationship to the candidate, or the content of your letter — we will contact you at the email address you submitted before making any publication decision.
We will lightly edit accepted letters for grammar, spelling, and length. We will not alter your argument or your voice. If edits are substantial, we will share them with you before publication.
We cannot guarantee publication of every letter we receive. Letters that do not meet these guidelines will not be published. Letters that include attacks on opposing candidates will be rejected outright and will not be returned for revision.
Deadline for June Primary Election
Endorsement letters must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, June 10, 2026 to be considered for publication before the June 16 primary election.
How to submit
Submit your letter using the form at form.jotform.com/261526696280060.
Social media: Indicate whether you consent to your letter being shared on The Stillwegian's social media channels. If you do not indicate a preference, we will assume consent. You may opt out without affecting your eligibility for website publication.
The Stillwegian is an independent local news publication covering Stillwater, Oklahoma. Endorsement letters represent the views of their authors, not of The Stillwegian or its staff.