diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release.md
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+---
+name: Release Request
+about: Request a release for this package
+title: '[Release]: <version-number>'
+labels: release, high-priority
+assignees: 'anissa111'
+---
+## For Package Leader
+
+Version: vYYYY.MM.##
+Plain text summary of significant changes:
+
+## Release progress checklist
+
+- [ ] CI tests are passing
+- [ ] release-notes.rst has been updated with latest release notes
+- [ ] a new tag and release has been made on GitHub
+- [ ] feedstock PR has been merged
+- [ ] release on pypi action has been triggered on the tag
+- [ ] new version can be installed via pip
+- [ ] new version can be installed via conda