How to Actually Run for Office: Your 8-Step Cheat Sheet
So this is what it looks like to launch a political campaign. Consider it your cheat sheet—whether you’re thinking of running, know someone you could send it to or are just curious about how starting up a local political campaign really works.
Exploring and getting ready to run for office
That “first step” is exploring running for office. The biggest mistake you can make is not exploring at all because you don’t have enough time, money, resilience, patience, or people to make this happen. Those are the biggest barriers to running for office, and they’re mostly myths. We know the world is loud, and your to-do list already hates you. But trust us: You will find help with all of it. We’ve got a workbook on running for office to get you started.
The first thing to do is clarify your values. Being solid on your own motivations and core beliefs will help you decide what kind of office is right for you, what your issues and campaign will look like, even how you’ll lead.
Next, explore public offices and their requirements. Use our public office profile guide to find a match for your skills and time. There’s a lot more out there than you might think (you can literally run for dogcatcher in some communities).
And here’s the thing many people don’t realize: some local races are low-cost and low-lift. Depending on the seat, you may only need a few hundred votes to win, and the average cost to run can be as little as a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Other races can require more, but the range is wide. The key is doing the research early and not assuming you need a huge operation to get started.
Next, get involved in your local government asap. This is the secret sauce. You’ll understand what your community’s facing and what it really needs. You’ll expand your network. And maybe most important: You’ll get to work, making changes, seeing your progress, and realizing that you can make a difference. Three of the best things you can do to get hands-on local political experience before running: attend city or town meetings, join a board, and volunteer for a campaign. The She Will Fight Action Index has a lot more things you can do locally—some in just 5 minutes.
Finally, get a working (but not final) picture of what it will take to run. Zero in on the office you want to run for and when it opens up. Do you meet all basic qualifications, like residency? You don’t need to be crystal-clear on cost and time yet, but you do need to answer three questions. How much does this kind of race usually cost in your area? Would you need to quit your job to take the role? For most local offices, the answer is no! Many races don’t require huge budgets or a full campaign team. You may only need a few hundred dollars and a solid group of friends and neighbors to get started, especially in nonpartisan or uncontested local elections.
A step-by-step checklist to start running for local office
This isn’t by any means a comprehensive list. (That would literally be a full bookshelf—if not several—because every office and location is different.) But it will give you a solid picture of the most important steps to take to get your name on the ballot.
1. Write your campaign announcement.
This is the last thing you need chronologically, but the first thing you should actually do! That’s because it’s really the story of why you’re here and what you want to do. Your “why” will clarify several things at once: Your values and motivations for running, the main issues and problems you want to solve, and the kind of leader you want to be. You’ll refine it once you know more about the issues, your opponents, and what’s resonating.
You’ll also use this story as your “elevator pitch” as you start spreading the word that you might run.
To start, use this formula:
- Why are you running now? This is your place to tell a really great short story. You can frame it as your call to action. You might want to connect it to your race or ethnicity.
- What do you want to achieve in this office? What is your vision? What are your goals?
- Why are you the right person? What are your leadership skills? What unique life experiences do you have that your community could benefit from?
2. Learn ALL the requirements to run for office and get on the ballot.
Not gonna lie: Running for office comes with paperwork and legal legwork. It varies depending on where you live, so it’s important to look up the specific steps for your city or county. Getting on the ballot could include things like submitting a declaration of candidacy, collecting nomination signatures, filing a campaign registration form, and completing financial or ethics disclosures.
Even if ethics training isn’t required, you’ll still need to understand things like contribution limits and tax compliance. Some offices even require you to be formally nominated, which can take extra time.
Of course, all this paperwork must be done on a strict schedule. Learn about it as early as you can to have ample time to get everything on your calendar. Your state’s secretary of state’s website or your city or county clerk will have all the info you need. Resources like Run for Something can help walk you through requirements, too.
3. Reach out to your network and start talking.
Your own personal network is where you start recruiting volunteers, donors, and supporters for your campaign. Getting people talking is how you’ll find your campaign manager and “kitchen cabinet”—they will be people you already know or you find via people you trust. And for many small, local races, your campaign manager might just be a trusted friend who cares, believes in you, and is willing to help you stay organized.
Thinking that this step rules out everyone but superconnectors and maximum extroverts? That’s another myth. Your network is wider than you think and can grow exponentially once you start talking about your beliefs and getting involved with your community. So take some time to get all your contacts together in a spreadsheet, and plan to update it every time you talk to someone new.
4. Build your campaign team.
This is the group that works on the ground to organize plans and volunteers, do research, raise money, make connections, and complete your campaign requirements. It can be all-volunteer or a mix of professionals and volunteers.
Your team size will depend on the seat you’re running for and how much you can afford to spend, but you’ll want at least a campaign manager, unless you have the time and the skills to run your own campaign.
Since you need an initial team in place before organized fundraising kicks in, you may need to pay out of pocket or via donations from close friends and family to build a team unless it’s all-volunteer.
5. Build your campaign’s financial structure.
This is the “ducks in a row” step so that you can raise funds and stay compliant throughout your campaign.
If you’re raising campaign funds, you’ll want to open a campaign bank account so your funds stay separate and clear. You might also need to create a tax employer identification number for your campaign. You’ll definitely need to decide on a treasurer and file that person’s documents. And now is the best time to decide on the platform you’ll be using for donations and make sure it’s tested and ready to launch well before you announce. Not sure where to start? Ask around. See what other local candidates or campaigns have used that you liked. It doesn’t need to be fancy, just functional and trustworthy.
6. Research your opponents and constituents—and yourself.
Understanding everyone in the race is how you build your strategy. First, know your constituents. Ask your city clerk for voter demographics in your area. Look at voting patterns. How many people voted in the last several elections for this position? And (most important of all) talk to the community. Be present at community events, understand voter concerns, conduct polls if possible, and, above all, be curious and listen.
You’ll also need to know about the candidates. Learn about your opponents—the fabled “oppo research.” What are their stances, backgrounds, and bios? And do self-research: What is your own voting history? What actions have you taken in the past? You’re looking to make sure you’re super solid on everyone’s positions, histories, and experience so you can know where you stand out.
7. Write a campaign plan.
Your campaign plan is your path to victory—the tactics you’ll use to connect with people, persuade them you’re the right candidate, and get them voting.
What’s your messaging plan? What are your key messages and talking points? How do they ladder back to voter concerns? How have other successful campaigns reached people? Hone your research into a coherent, unassailably factual, and compelling set of messages.
What’s your field plan—how do you plan to talk to voters and convince them to vote for you? How many votes do you need to win?
What’s your fundraising plan? What are the business expenses for your campaign? You may need to pay for things like signs, postcards, headshots, filing fees, web and social design, and research. Even throwing fundraising events costs money. How will you raise funds to cover those expenses?
What’s your communications plan? Do you want press coverage? A big presence on social media? How will you get those?
Who will you want to work with—your local political party, particular officials, interest groups? Who do you want to endorse you?
What’s your timeline? Do you want a campaign kickoff event?
8. Get your platforms ready.
Once you have your plan in place, you’re ready to launch the platforms people will see. Create a website with a professional headshot and video, your tested donation platform, your updated campaign announcement, your most important messages and issues, and ways to volunteer and connect. Create or update your social platforms and plan to post regularly.
9. Announce your campaign!
After you’ve taken those steps, you should be on the upcoming ballot and ready to announce your campaign.
9 organizations that can help you run for office
Below are a few organizations that have a ton of connections, trainings, and tools for candidates. But that’s not all! Check out our very comprehensive list of 262 organizations that can help women run for office (we’re telling you again: You don’t have to do this alone! You will get resources and help).
- She Should Run (that’s us). We are a nonpartisan org planting seeds for future elected leaders. Our strength is in those first-step resources for women who have formidable leadership potential that goes untapped with conventional political recruitment. In other words, you can do this, and we’re here to help you figure it all out.
- The Campaign School at Yale is a nonpartisan, issue-neutral political campaign training program to increase the number and influence of women in elected and appointed office nationally and globally.
- Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers is a national network of nonpartisan campaign training programs committed to electing more women to public office.
- Higher Heights Leadership Fund is investing in a long-term strategy to expand and support Black women’s leadership pipeline at all levels and strengthen their civic participation beyond just Election Day.
- Latinas Represent is a nonpartisan, national home for Latinas seeking out public service opportunities, including elected office.
- New American Leaders equips immigrants, refugees, and their allies with the tools they need to run for and hold elected office.
- Run for Something has in-depth and encouraging training directed toward progressive Gen Zers and Millennials (but mostly accessible to everyone) — everything from filing to managing your image.
- Vote Run Lead has practical, action-oriented training programs designed to equip women with the skills and confidence they need to pursue public office.
- The Women’s Public Leadership Network educates, organizes, and inspires women to seek public office and become effective leaders. They welcome across the political spectrum, with a focus on center-right issues.
Encourage someone to run for office
If not you, who? Chances are you know someone who inspires you. Send them a digital postcard to inspire them to run for office. And share this article with them, too!