This letter to the editor ran a few days ago in The Quad City Times. Chairman Kiernan and Republican Party of Iowa Chair Matt Strawn submitted this letter in the hopes of getting more people to make use of the option on their state tax form of earmarking $1.50 for the political party of their choice.

Here’s the letter that ran in the QC Times:

As chairmen of the two major political parties in Iowa, you won’t always find us agreeing with one another. And while we may even joke that Iowa would be better without the other party, the reality is that we are both committed to investing in Iowa’s political process and engaging Iowans in the debate about the direction of our state.

The two parties we represent are critical to our political process. But, we would not be able to do our jobs or communicate our ideas without the support of thousands of Iowans. That support isn’t only seen in the voting booth. Some support comes from thousands checking a box on their income tax returns.

We encourage Iowans to get active in the political process, and here’s a great way to do it: the Income Tax Check Off for political parties.

Checking the box on your Iowa Income Tax forms for the political parties will designate a portion of the Iowa Election Campaign Fund as a donation to a political party. Taxpayers will not pay more on their taxes or receive any less of a refund if they check the box.

This is a simple way for Iowans to show their support for one of the parties and for the political system in Iowa. It’s an investment worth making. Please consider checking the box.

Matthew N. Strawn, Iowa Republican chairman, Ankeny

Michael Kiernan, Iowa Democratic chairman, Des Moines