(Even If You’ve Never Done It Before)
You care about your community. You’ve shown up, organized, and maybe even led local efforts. And now, you’re wondering:
Should I run for office?
The answer might be yes.
This post is here to help you get started—even if you’ve never run for anything before.
Whether you’re considering school board, city council, or county commissioner, here’s a no-fluff roadmap to launching your first campaign with clarity and purpose.
Why You Should Consider Running
- Local offices often go uncontested
- Voters are hungry for authenticity, not perfection
- You already know what your community needs—you live there
Running for office isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about stepping up when others won’t.
Step-by-Step: How to Run for Office
1. Pick the Right Race
Start where you have roots. Focus on:
- Issues you care about (e.g., education, housing, safety)
- Seats with no incumbent or low voter turnout
- Boards or councils where a few votes make a big difference
Use BallotReady or contact your county clerk to see what’s coming up.
2. Get on the Ballot
Every jurisdiction has its own rules. You’ll likely need:
- Filing paperwork
- Petition signatures (with deadlines!)
- A campaign treasurer and bank account
- State-specific ethics forms
Start early, and ask your local election office for guidance—they’re used to helping first-time candidates.
3. Build Your Core Team
You don’t need a 20-person staff. Start with:
- Campaign Manager – helps you prioritize and organize
- Field Lead – recruits volunteers and canvasses
- Communications Lead – handles social media and messaging
- Treasurer – manages donations and files reports
Your team should believe in you—and be ready to work.
4. Define Your “Why”
Voters connect with your story, not just your platform.
Think about:
- What made you decide to run?
- What community problem do you want to fix?
- What values guide your decisions?
Put that into a 2–3 minute stump speech and practice it everywhere.
5. Talk to Voters—Constantly
Knock doors, attend events, show up at the grocery store.
You don’t need fancy mailers to win a local race. You need:
- A walk list of registered voters
- A printed flyer or palm card
- A clear ask: “Will you support me?”
Real conversations win votes.
6. Raise Money (Even If It’s Just a Little)
Start with your inner circle. Tell them:
“I’m running for city council to make our streets safer and our housing more affordable. Will you chip in $25 to help me print flyers?”
Use ActBlue, NationBuilder, or your state’s donation tools. Keep track of every dollar, even early on.
7. Follow the Rules
Most states require:
- Filing financial reports (even if you raise $0)
- Reporting contributions over a certain amount
- Keeping a campaign bank account separate from your personal one
Ask your county elections office for the checklist—or check your state’s campaign finance portal.
Additional Resources
- Run for Something
- Arena
- Emerge America (for women)
- Victory Institute (for LGBTQ+ candidates)
- New American Leaders
Most offer free or low-cost training, mentorship, and support.
Final Word
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be present.
Running for office is hard—but it’s one of the most powerful things you can do to change the world around you.
If you’ve been waiting for a sign, this is it.
We need more people like you. Start now.