Constitution Day Op-Ed Guide

NOLC has developed this Guide, complete with prompts and sample language, to help rule of law advocates write a Get Out the Vote Op-Ed or guest essay for their local newspaper.

Constitution Day is the perfect occasion to write a Get Out the Vote Op-Ed, sometimes called a guest essay, for your local newspaper or other publication. This nonpartisan holiday falls on September 17—close to Election Day, when newspapers are far more likely to publish pieces tied to a specific civic event. Editors look for timely hooks—and Constitution Day gives you one.

Although we suggest tying your Op-Ed to Constitution Day, it does not need to be—it can be modified to link to Election Day on November 3, or written as a standalone piece. You might also consider writing a timely letter to the editor in response to an article published by the newspaper. The crucial point is to raise your voice in support of the elections, the rule of law, and our Constitution.

What follows is a practical guide, with examples and prompts, to help busy lawyers craft a Constitution Day Op-Ed they can personalize to share their expertise and motivate fellow citizens to vote.