Political coverage in a small town requires care.

New Glarus 360 exists to help readers understand what is happening in New Glarus and why it matters. That includes local government, schools, taxes, development, roads, public safety, elections and other decisions that affect daily life here.

But we do not exist to turn local civic life into a partisan battleground.

Our approach to political coverage will be cautious, practical and local. We will cover politics when there is a discernible impact on the people of New Glarus. We will not cover politics as ideology, personality or sport.

We Will Cover Local Impact

New Glarus 360 will cover candidate announcements from local candidates, school board meetings, village board votes, county board actions, referendums and election results.

We will also cover issues where the stakes are clear for residents, including taxes, roads, schools, policing, development, libraries, utilities, zoning, emergency services and public trust.

Our focus will be on what decisions mean for the people who live, work, own property, attend school, raise families or operate businesses in the New Glarus area.

We will not be a source for day-to-day campaign coverage, political strategy, campaign events or the routine trappings of elections. We are not interested in horse-race coverage. We may cover the stakes, but not the horses in the race.

Candidate Questionnaires

When New Glarus 360 publishes candidate questionnaires, each candidate will receive the same questions, the same word limit and the same deadline.

Candidate answers may be lightly edited for clarity, grammar and style, but not to change meaning. All candidates will be treated equally.

No Endorsements

New Glarus 360 will not endorse candidates.

Our role is to provide information, not tell readers how to vote.

Letters to the Editor

New Glarus 360 will accept political letters to the editor under clear election-season rules.

Letters are limited to 500 words. Writers must use their real names and provide residency and contact information for verification. Letters must come from a current or former resident of New Glarus and from a New Glarus 360 subscriber, including those on free plans.

Candidates may also submit letters to the editor of up to 500 words.

We will not publish anonymous political attacks, libelous claims or letters built around gossip, rumor or caustic messaging.

Political letters must be submitted no later than two Fridays before the election. That deadline is intended to give people or candidates mentioned in letters a fair opportunity to respond.

Candidate Forums

New Glarus 360 may publish information about when candidate forums are being held.

We will not cover what was discussed at those forums.

Fact-Checking and Process

New Glarus 360 will not amplify gossip or political rumor.

However, we reserve the right to explain civic and election processes when doing so serves readers. That may include how votes are counted, who certifies results, how local boards operate, what a board can and cannot legally do, and how residents can participate.

Our goal is simple: help New Glarus understand local decisions without inflaming local divisions. Political coverage should make the community better informed, not more divided.

– Readers with questions about this policy, local election coverage or civic issues that deserve attention may contact New Glarus 360 at editor@newglarus360.com.

– Licensed file photo