How to Win a Sheriff's Election

If you're the sheriff, you are in charge of law enforcement and keeping your citizens safe, making sure people don't kill themselves on the roads, and keeping drugs out the hands of the children and off the streets. It's a big job. If it's something that you desire, here are some steps that will assist you in being elected to the office.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• An accountant or someone who can keep track of money
• Good walking shoes
• Credentials
• Business card
• Flyers
• Support of police officers, fire fighters, community leaders, and the general public
• Volunteers and fund raisers

1. Plan on starting your campaign about a year or so before the election. Share your idea of becoming sheriff with friends, family, and co-workers. Recruit people who would be willing to volunteer time, as well as money, to your cause. You will need a substantial amount of money to finance flyers or brochures and a business card, not to mention advertising and signs. Find someone who is willing to keep track of money so you know how much money you have and how much you've spent.
2. Research in your local community to find out exactly what you need to do to be placed on the ballot. In most cases, you need to have a certain number of citizens sign a petition. Walk around your neighborhood and meet people; get some of your volunteers to join you. Distribute flyers or brochures that state why you would make a good sheriff as well as business cards so people can contact you. Have people you meet sign your petition.
3. Get permission to set up in front of a library, store, or in a shopping mall so you can meet a lot of people in a short amount of time. Have these people sign your petition. After you have the needed number of signatures, officially sign whatever paperwork is necessary to have your name placed on the ballot for the sheriff's election.
4. Meet with community leaders and others in your community to gain support from them. You need to be able to show them why you are perfect for the job. Draw on past experiences with the police, or as a business, school, or community leader. The more support you are able to garner, the more votes you will be able to get. Ask for their support through contributions towards your campaign.
5. Continue doing as much as you can as the election nears. Talk to people and drum up support. Use any money you have acquired through contributions to purchase signs, newspaper advertisements and television or radio ads, if appropriate.

Tips & Warnings

• Most sheriffs are former, veteran police officers with lots of connections and experience on the force. If you are young and are looking at this as career option in the distant future, consider going to college and majoring in law enforcement or a related field and becoming a police officer.
• Unless you live in a very small community, the likelihood of you getting on the ballot and winning a sheriff's election is minimal; however, it is not unheard of. A large part of it is based on who you know, what you have done, and what you can offer the citizens and community.

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