Definitely good questions. I couldn’t find any “Beginners Guide to Running for Office”, so I sat up for a while chugging coffee and reading a whole bunch of local election board websites and other related sources, and this is what I came up with. This is by no means a comprehensive list or plan, but I tried to break down the main components of running for a local office in the most general terms possible, so it could be applied more broadly.

Preparation

• Figure out which office you want to run for, where you think you can make the most difference with your skill-set in your community.
• Research the responsibilities of the office you’re seeking. Attend school board or city council (or whatever) meetings to see how they operate. Take lots of notes or record it if allowed.
• Identify key issues in your community, your potential opponents, and the demographics of your district.
• Clearly articulate why you’re running and what you hope to achieve. This will be the foundation of your campaign.
• Check your local election board for eligibility requirements like residency, age, filing deadlines, and paperwork.
• • Here’s a portal to all state and local election offices - https://www.usa.gov/state-election-office
• • Leon County, Florida Supervisor of Elections has a great breakdown that should give you a general idea of the necessary requirements, deadlines, and paperwork - https://www.leonvotes.gov/Candidates-Elected-Officials-and-Campaign-Finance/How-to-Run-for-Local-Office

Campaign Team

• Campaign Manager: Appoint someone to oversee operations. Preferably someone with some political savvy and/or managerial experience.
• Treasurer: Appoint someone to manage finances and ensure compliance with campaign finance laws.
• Volunteers: Recruit a team of dedicated volunteers for canvassing, phone banking, and event support. The number of volunteers will vary, depending on the size of your campaign, but there’s no such thing as too many.
• Advisors: Network with local community leaders and activists who share your vision, and listen to them. They have their ears to the ground, and can offer critical advice on what your community needs.

Campaign Strategy

• Set a budget and determine how much money you’ll need for materials, advertising, and events. Focus on grassroots fundraising. This seems to be the most difficult part with no clear answer, so look into the campaign financing of previous candidates running for the same office to get an idea of how much it’ll likely cost.
• Develop a clear, concise message that resonates with voters.
• Identify your base and tailor your outreach to their concerns.
• Map out key milestones like filing deadlines, debates, voter registration deadlines, and Election Day. Set realistic goals to accomplish by those dates.

Build Your Brand

• Create a professional logo and a memorable slogan that reflects your values. Say what you want about Trump, but “Make America Great Again” and “MAGA” are a great slogan/logo combo. It’s simple, clear, and easy to remember.
• Build a simple website with your bio, platform, and contact info. Use social media to engage voters and share updates.
• Print flyers, yard signs, and business cards to distribute in the community.

Community Engagement

• Knock on doors to introduce yourself and listen to voters concerns.
• Show up at community gatherings, fairs, and town halls to build visibility.
• Organize meet-and-greets, town halls, or fundraisers to connect with voters.
• Seek support from local leaders, organizations, and activists to boost your credibility and visibility.
• Volunteer at homeless shelters, food banks, and other places. Even just a day here and there can make all the difference. Engage with employees, customers, and residents about your campaign. Listen to their concerns, and offer viable solutions.

Fundraising

• Focus on grassroots fundraising by asking friends, family, and community members for small contributions.
• Set up a donation portal on your website and promote it on social media.
• Keep detailed records of all donations and expenses to comply with campaign finance laws.

Messaging

• Send press releases to local newspapers, radio stations, and TV stations to announce your candidacy and major events.
• Participate in candidate debates and forums to showcase your platform.
• Post regularly about your platform, events, and endorsements. Engage with people in the comments.
• Send postcards or letters to targeted voters highlighting your key issues.

Get People to Vote

• Help eligible voters register before the deadline.
• Encourage supporters to vote early or by mail if available.
• Organize volunteers to remind voters to cast their ballots and offer rides to the polls if needed.

Again, this is by no means a comprehensive, foolproof plan. I didn’t include many resources, because requirements, deadlines, and paperwork all vary by state and county. These just seemed to be the most common points I picked up from a number of sources, and should at least give you an idea of how and what to research further.

Personally, I have no ambition to run for office because I’m already 50 and don’t want to add to the pool of geriatrics running this country. We need to hand the torch to young people. That said, I will help any way I can if someone younger wants to run. Speech writing, phone banking, logo design, or pretty much anything else, I will gladly offer my services for free.