In exactly two months, Minnesotans will head to the polls to select a series of leaders in local, state and national races.

In the weeks preceding the election, the campaign advertising for and against the candidates is guaranteed to increase. Some of that advertising will promote candidates, while the rest of that advertising will be against candidates — attacking their message and sometimes even the candidates themselves in one form or another.

Opponents and supporters have a choice in how they present their messages.

We encourage them — whether they are individuals or organizations — to use civility in their discourse. This same encouragement applies to the candidates themselves.

Take time to promote a candidate’s strengths and solutions for problems facing the area and where he or she stands on key issues.

As in the past, the Tribune accepts letters to the editor from candidates and their supporters and opponents in the weeks leading up to the election and throughout the year.

New this year, the Tribune’s letter-writing policy during campaign season allows candidates to submit one letter to the editor per month. Letters must be 500 words or less.

We encourage people to take advantage of this opportunity.

As you go about preparing for the upcoming election, we leave you with a quote from President John F. Kennedy:

“Let us begin anew — remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate. Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.”