Thinking about running for office?
Every campaign has a beginning.
Explore the steps involved in becoming a candidate, organizing a campaign, building your public presence and preparing for your first election. Free, nonpartisan and written in plain English.
Your community.
Your voice.
A stronger tomorrow.
Six steps from first idea to first election
Take them in order, or jump to the one you're worried about. Each step is a short set of practical guides with official sources, so you know exactly what to confirm for your own race.
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Step 1 · 6 guidesUnderstand the opportunityLearn about local offices and what the job really involves. -
Step 2 · 6 guidesCheck eligibility and requirementsConfirm you qualify and learn the filing steps. -
Step 3 · 5 guidesPlan your budgetUnderstand campaign costs and recordkeeping basics. -
Step 4 · 4 guidesBuild your public presenceCreate a professional campaign website and public information hub. -
Step 5 · 4 guidesStay on scheduleTrack key election dates and compliance deadlines. -
Step 6 · 5 guidesConnect with your communityBuild support, recruit help and share your message. -
Free toolGet organizedUse checklists and planning tools for your campaign. -
Free downloadTake the first stepYour campaign starts with a plan. Get the printable starter kit.
Which office are you considering?
Local offices do very different work. A school board member approves budgets and hires a superintendent; a county council member votes on rezonings and roads; a probate judge handles estates. Know the job before you ask voters for it.
- County council or commissionBudgets, zoning, roads and public safety funding
- School boardPolicy, budget and the superintendent
- City council or mayorNeighborhood services, ordinances and permits
- Sheriff and county officesClerk of court, auditor, treasurer, coroner, probate
- Partisan or nonpartisan?How the ballot works for your race
- Can I fit it in?The real time and family commitment
Free planning tools
Everything runs in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to us.
- 10 questionsReadiness self-checkSee which steps you can move through quickly and where to slow down.
- Line by lineCampaign budget builderTotal your costs, add a cushion and see what to raise each month. Export to a spreadsheet.
- Add to your phoneElection calendar builderEnter your dates and get a dated plan you can add to Google or Apple Calendar.
- Saves your progressCampaign operations checklistEvery task from deciding to Election Day, in order, with a progress bar.
Print the free starter kit
A printable PDF with the operations checklist, a budget worksheet, a calendar worksheet, questions to ask your election office and a contacts page. Keep it in a binder on the kitchen table.
- No email address required
- Large, readable type
- Works for partisan and nonpartisan races
Ready for a campaign website?
Our sister company CandidateLaunch builds finished campaign websites for local candidates of any party, live in 7 days, from $399. You don't need it to use anything on this site, but it's there when you want the website done for you.
Common questions
Is Begin Your Campaign really free?
Yes. Every guide, tool and the printable starter kit are free, with no sign-up required. We're supported by our sister company CandidateLaunch, which builds campaign websites for candidates who want help.
Is this site connected to a political party?
No. Begin Your Campaign is nonpartisan. We don't endorse candidates, parties or positions, and the guides apply whether your race is partisan or nonpartisan.
Does this tell me the exact rules for my county?
No single site can. Filing rules, fees, forms and deadlines differ by state and locality. Our guides explain how the process usually works and show you exactly what to ask your local election office.
Where should I start?
Start with step 1, Understand the opportunity, or take the 10-question readiness self-check to see which steps you can move through quickly.