Maybe it’s because I became a U.S. citizen a couple of years ago, not quite in time to vote in the last presidential election. But these last two years I have been sensitive to how the Islands Sounder newspaper runs editorials in the weeks before elections with very strong statements on how they think their readers should vote.

It was very noticeable in the last sheriff’s election and it is very noticeable this time around. Last week there was the main editorial and a large invited citizen editorial on the same subject with the same suggestion on how to vote. I know there is some precedent in big city newspapers with a strong political bias. But I think it is plain wrong on this small island that the newspaper should try to swing elections.

Please stick to informing and stop trying to influence. Especially in these current times when every local government decision is already so politically polarized.

Thanks for everything else you do.

Martin Taylor

Orcas Island