Why so many political letters to the editor?

Question: Every time there is an election around the corner, 90 percent of the letters to the editor are from writers promoting their candidate, or condemning another. I don't care who my nieghbor endorses and won't read them. Instead of "Letters to the Editor" why not call it "Political Endorsements?" If you must provide free advertising, why not a separate section entitled "Political" and still print the real Letters to the Editor? -- Erwin Benke

Answer: A newspaper's letters to the editor column may be the only forum left for regular citizens to express their political views, including individual choices for public office. Providing space for such letters is one of our most significant responsibilities. The good news for this writer: Notwithstanding the heavy load of election letters, we're still getting most non-election letters into the paper. -- Steve Smith, editor