Answering Your Post-Election FAQs
We recently held a Q&A Town Hall meeting with Tennessee State Senator Raumesh Akbari and Indiana State Representative Victoria Garcia Wilburn to discuss how to move forward and take action after the 2024 election. Our community came through with close to 100 questions about running for office, how to get involved in their communities, and other questions about women’s representation in government! We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 most asked questions to help you navigate your own running for office journey.
1. How do I identify open political positions and decide if running is right for me?
To understand if political office is right for you, it’s important to first consider why you might want to run for office. She Should Run has a worksheet that can help you identify your values so that you can understand how to be your most authentic self in political advocacy and stay true to what you want to accomplish.
Once you figure out what’s important to you, take a look at our Power in Purpose audio course to connect your values and strengths to an actionable purpose.
Purpose can look different for everyone, and when and how you figure it out varies based on different factors. Before running for office, it’s important to consider external factors like your job, family, or financial situation to see if now is the right time for you to run. If being a candidate doesn’t resonate with you, there are many other roles you can fill! Take our Role Call quiz to see what role you might play in the fight for equal representation.
Identifying the right office to run for is just as important as figuring out whether running is right for you. As Representative Victoria Garcia Wilburn suggested in the Town Hall, “Think thoughtfully about the intersections of your story [and how that can] be useful in service. […] I think we all have a really personal story about why we feel passionate about certain issues. And I think there’s a real desire for authenticity in political spaces right now.”
To figure out what office to run for, you can take our quiz; to explore positions that are currently open in your community, you can take a look at this database from Latinas Represent that allows you to put in your address and the year you’re interested in running and provides you with a list of open offices and their descriptions.
Finally, if you find that you’re ready and want to run for office, check out She Should Run’s guide to running for office, including what you need to know before your run and how to start planning.
“Just give yourself time. Whatever way you decide to fight, whatever. If you decide to run for elected office, give yourself the time you need to get to that point.” –Senator Raumesh Akbari
2. How do you balance running for office and your family/job?
It’s important to recognize first that everybody’s journey to run is different. What we’ve heard from our Community members is that your network of support is invaluable and that running for office has to be a group effort done with the backing of your friends, family, and trusted circle.
To figure out how to balance running for office with your personal life, you should check out our webinar on creating space for public leadership in your busy life as well as this article from Medium, which highlights some of the key questions you can ask yourself about your job and if now feels like a good time to run.
When it comes to balancing campaigning with family responsibilities, though, no one knows it better than women who have actually gone through that experience, like Rochelle Garza, who ran for Attorney General of Texas with a newborn. In an interview with She Should Run, she says, “I was very fortunate to have a really strong support system–from my husband, parents, and in-laws to my campaign team, to supporters across the state. We had hubs where we stayed, and we made sure I had milk in different people’s freezers in case my daughter needed food when I was in another part of the state. It was a whole family affair to make this a reality!”
3. How do I go about campaign financing?
For resources on how to approach campaign financing, the She Should Run Resource Center is an excellent starting point!
Check out this article on the four main categories of fundraising and five quick tips on how to fundraise better. Another valuable She Should Run resource is this webinar with New Mexico State Representative Georgene Louis and Las Cruces City Councilmember Tessa Abeyta-Stuve, which provides a new perspective for you to explore fundraising and broadening your network. For further tangible steps and information on campaign fundraising to your specific needs, take a look at our list of external resources.
4. I don’t want to run, but I want to support someone who wants to run. How can I do that?
You don’t need to run for office to make a difference! There are various roles that go into making a successful campaign, and there are many ways for you to apply the skills and experiences to support other women. Volunteering to knock on doors, canvassing, or even just being an advocate for a candidate’s platform in your community can make a big difference for women’s representation!
Are you good at writing and crafting messages, or have experience with social media? Try working as a Communications Specialist or Social Media Manager. Are you detail-oriented and good at managing schedules, or have experience with event planning or logistics? Try working as a Campaign Coordinator or Field Organizer. Are you good at building relationships and engaging with people, or have experience with sales or community outreach? Try working as a Fundraiser or Volunteer Coordinator. These are just some of the roles that are crucial to helping a campaign succeed. If you need some help figuring out what your skills are, try reflecting on what you are already good at in our Skills Identification worksheet.
Tip: Another way to support women is to ask them to run for office! She Should Run has put together some digital postcards where you can invite a woman in your life to consider running for office. They’ll not only be touched by your thoughtfulness, but they’ll be encouraged to start their journey using tools from our Resource Center.
5. How can I get involved and create change locally?
Getting involved locally and creating change starts with understanding the influence of local government, which runs many of the public facilities in your town, such as the library, fire department, and even swimming pools! Start by attending a city council meeting to see how decisions are made and to voice your concerns during citizen participation periods (find out more on how to do so here). You can also join a local board or commission, which allows you to volunteer your time working on issues like education, housing, and economic development while also getting the chance to learn about the policymaking process. If you’re not quite ready for public leadership, consider volunteering for a local candidate’s campaign to better understand community needs and election processes.
Beyond political engagement, you can create change by connecting with your community in everyday ways. Stay informed by following local organizations, elected officials, and businesses. Leverage your existing habits and skills–like leaving a pressed flower or note in a library book the next time you return your items, shopping at farmer’s markets, or sharing leftovers with your neighbors–to build connections and spread positivity. The key is to start small, stay curious, and have fun while making your community a better place for everyone.
Tip: Check out this article on six ways you can make positive change in your community, which includes using your voice for good and being environmentally conscious.
6. How can we protect at-risk communities from fear and hate-based politics?
Although it may seem daunting, we can all play a role in protecting at-risk communities. That role starts with listening and understanding those communities.
The first step is to meet people where they are. Fear-based politics often prey on misunderstandings or misinformation about marginalized communities, so take the time to learn directly from the people most affected by these issues. This might look like volunteering for an organization that serves underrepresented people or attending events hosted by members of these communities. True allyship means understanding these communities on their terms, not assuming you know what’s best.
It’s also important to reflect on how misinformation can spread and how it can perpetuate violence, hate speech, and bias. Challenge harmful rhetoric by calmly presenting facts and creating opportunities for dialogue. Sometimes you have to have hard conversations before change can happen, but even the simple act of listening can be a step towards creating a more inclusive and compassionate society.
If you’re skeptical about a recent headline, check out this nonpartisan organization working to reduce levels of deception and confusion in US politics. And if you’re looking to keep yourself safe from fake news, check out these quick tips.
7. What are the best post-election steps to maintain momentum and avoid burnout in political activism?
After the intensity of the 2024 election, it’s essential to pause and check in with yourself. How do you feel? What do you need? Take care of your physical and mental well-being before diving back into action. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by doom-scrolling, step back by deleting or limiting social media use. If you’re feeling disconnected, lean on family and friends for support and encouragement. Organize your thoughts, reflect on your activism, and celebrate any wins.
Sustainable activism starts with recognizing signs of burnout, so if you ever find yourself starting to lose hope, try to ground yourself in what inspired you to act in the first place, like through our values clarification worksheet or Building a Better Community Audio Course
Next, know that it’s okay to take breaks. News burnout and political fatigue affect everyone, and stepping away doesn’t mean you’re giving up. Space allows you to recharge and return with clarity and purpose. Stay connected to your community, reflect on your goals, and allow yourself the grace to rest. Activism is a marathon, not a sprint–your well-being matters just as much as the causes you care about.
Tip: If you’re in need of resources on managing your mental health or balancing the toll of political activism with everyday life, check out the Balance and Mental Health section of our resource center, which includes a webinar on Protecting Your Sanity and Our Democracy.
8. How can I stay engaged in political or social issues I care about while living in an area where the majority holds opposing beliefs?
Start small. Find that one issue that you’re really passionate about, and focus your attention on that issue. Volunteer with organizations in your area that center on that issue, and you’ll organically connect to people whose interests and values are similar to yours.
Another way to stay engaged is through continuing to educate yourself more on the issues you care about, such as through this bipartisan organization dedicated to creating a space for all people to research and explore different policy areas. You can also connect to online communities with people that carry similar values and who can help you feel not so alone.
Take your time, and don’t retract. We need human connection, and community is better when unified. Learn about how other people are working on conversations that bridge political divides from NPR’s Seeking Common Ground Series.
As Senator Raumesh Akbari shared, “You can’t save the world, but you can save parts of it, and together, we can save the whole world.”
9. How can young people, especially college students, get involved in political advocacy and make a difference?
It’s easy to feel disenfranchised and disillusioned when you’ve grown up in an instantaneous world, but it’s important to understand that change takes time–and that shouldn’t stop you from pursuing the things that you care about and leveraging your unique perspective.
“I don’t want to say be patient because I don’t like the narrative of: ‘Wait your turn, wait your time.’ […] If you’re focused on the work, [change] will come.” – Senator Raumesh Akbari
Take a look at what clubs exist on your campus or organizations in your area that work on issues that you care about and join them. Attend a city council meeting or reach out to local leaders in your community to volunteer.
Tip: Don’t wait for permission to lead. If you see a gap, fill it. Whether it’s by starting a club, organizing a voter drive, or launching a petition, your work and your voice matters.
10. What is one thing I can do today to get more involved in my community?
Following our Town Hall, Senator Akbari recommended that every woman center themselves: “Figure out what your goals are and how you want to serve. And if it’s elected office, do it.”
As you try to figure out your goals and explore how to serve, sign up for our audio course to find your civic strengths, become a better advocate, and make your action plan.
Being involved in your community can also mean supporting other women. As Representative Wilburn said, “One thing that I want to encourage women to do after they hop off this call is: send a text or pick up the phone and make a call and tell that woman in your life that you admire and adore, and you know. Tell them to keep going. Tell them that you’re in it with them. Tell them how amazing they are. Tell them how thankful you are for their courage, do something amazing together, because we have got to keep our path lit together.”
If reading this reminds you of a woman in your life, LET THEM KNOW! Encourage her to run, and let her know all of the reasons you think she’d be an amazing leader.
However you’re showing up today is okay, and when you’re ready to take on more or dive deeper into your leadership exploration, we’re here to support you. If you want to hear more from Senator Akbari and Representative Wilburn, or to explore more videos like our town hall, check out our YouTube channel. Take a deep breath and remember that, wherever your political path may lead, if you care, you’re qualified!