How to Run for Local Political Office

Think you can do a better job than current elected officials? Maybe you've always had and interest in government and politics and thought that someday you might run for office. Many prominent elected officials got their first experience as candidates in local politics. I've lost and won elections to public office and hopefully this information will aid your initial foray into public service.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Information on qualifications, duties and responsibilities, election codes and regulations.
• Time and energy to campaign and willingness to meet voters and explain your positions.

1. Research the qualifications, term of office, duties and responsibilities of the position you will be seeking. This might be easily accessible on the website for your state or county election bureau, or you might need to make a visit to the election office at the county court house. The election officials can also provide you with the election calendar, which sets the dates for collecting petition signatures, filing various expense and other reports, and the actual election. They can also let you know the filing fees for the seat, and provide the necessary forms for getting your name on the ballot and for filing the required reports.
2. Candidate finance reports and other campaign information are public records. While you are at the election office ask for copies of those reports for candidates who have recently run for the same or similar position. That will give you an idea of typical expenses for that race. If you will be running against one of those candidates the filings will also indicate who their supporters have been.
3. Take all the election information, sit down with a few trusted friends and advisers and thoroughly study it. Recruit a campaign treasurer or finance chairman who has a knack for accuracy and can make sure campaign finance rules are followed and reports filed on time. Plan a strategy for recruiting volunteers to circulate your nominating petitions. Prepare a campaign budget, including both projected expenses and income.
4. Check with the city clerk or other office to determine if there are any zoning or other ordinances that regulate political signs or other political activity. If the seat you are seeking covers more than one municipality, for example several towns, make sure to check with each as the regulations may vary widely from one to the other.
5. Prior to the start of the period for collecting petition signatures have a meeting with the volunteers who will be circulating the petitions. Make sure they understand the rules on who can sign and any specific requirements. Have campaign handout materials available for the volunteers.
6. Issue a press release announcing your candidacy and describing your reasons for running and the issues on which you plan to focus. Most newspapers will give you free space for one announcement, after that they might require anything you submit be accepted as paid campaign ads. See my eHow article on How to Write a Simple,Effective Press Release.
7. Vote Bob Once you've made your candidate filings and are on the ballot, get out and make your case to the voters. Try to attend candidates forums and any other opportunity to present yourself and your candidacy. Enjoy the campaign trail and even if you don't win the first time out, you will have gained name recognition, so stay involved. Remember, some of our greatest political leaders lost before they won. Good luck...and when you achieve national prominence some day, don't forget to invite me to your inauguration!

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you and the key leaders in your campaign know and understand the election laws and regulations.
• Don't assume that everyone who promises financial or other support will actually come through with it.