How to Get Petitions Filed to Run for City Council

The process of running for city government varies greatly from city to city.

Local politics are an important facet of American democracy. Many of the regulations, expenses and policies that affect our day-to-day lives are decided at the city council table. While all cities in the United States have some sort of representative government elected by voters, the size and shape of city politics varies greatly by city. Large cities tend to have large councils that act as a legislative branch to the mayor's executive function, while middle sized cities often have only a council with a member of the council serving as honorary mayor. Small towns may have only one elected official. To file a petition to run for office, the usual first step is to contact the city clerk's office.

Instructions

1. Determine the location of your city clerk's office by searching online for your city's name and the phrase "election clerk." Most mid-sized and major cities have their own clerk's office, while smaller towns and some county seats use the county clerk's office to run their elections.

2. Contact the city or county clerk to obtain the minimum requirements for running for city office. These will depend on the size of the city council. Some city's split the council based on geographic district, while others run city-wide races. There may also be residency requirements.

3. Contact the local political party of your choice for additional support. While many American cities run apolitical races, meaning no party affiliation is identified, political parties are still able and willing to help a like-minded individual run for office. In addition to supplying further information about requirements, a party can aid in gathering signatures, fundraising or filling out other paperwork required by the city or county clerk.

4. File all paperwork with the city or county clerk by the election deadline. While some cities allow for write-in campaigns for candidates who miss the filing deadline, the best policy is to file by the deadline to assure your name will appear on the ballot on election day. Filing deadlines vary based on the date of election and local regulations. Typically, the filing period is three to four months before the election.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are having trouble locating government offices for your city or county, call the state government or your local library to ask for a good contact phone number or website.

References

• City of Austin: Election Introduction
• City of Los Angeles Initiative, Referendum & Recall Handbook
• City of Kenai: Voter Information
• Newport News: City Council Elections