Creating a Political Campaign Timeline

If you’ve ever run for local office, then you know that the stakes are high, no matter the position. And the competition can be as tough as any state or federal race.

Planning out a timeline for your political campaign is an important step in winning. Knowing when to do things and what needs to be done helps make the most of your limited time, money, and resources.

Stay on track and avoid becoming overwhelmed by creating a campaign calendar that includes specific goals and milestones  that reflect your campaign strategies.

Below is an example timeline for a local office race, such as city council. Use this schedule as a guideline for planning out your political calendar. Customize the template below to your specific needs.

Note: If you’re running for a state representative or federal office, you’ll want to start the campaigning process at least 18 months before the election.

A sample political campaign timeline

6-9 months before the election:

• Research potential elected positions, and decide whether to run.
• Research and identify key campaign issues and develop policy positions.
• Develop an issue platform and begin building a campaign team.
• Establish a campaign account and begin ongoing fundraising efforts.
• File paperwork to become a candidate and make your announcement.
• Start attending local community events and meetings. Start or continue building relationships with community leaders.
• Conduct a voter analysis and identify the key demographics of your constituency.

5-6 months before the election:

• Conduct a competitor analysis to understand other candidates running for the same elected position.
• Develop and launch your campaign website, social media pages, and other marketing materials.
• Establish a volunteer network and create a phone banking and canvassing program.
• Set fundraising goals and develop a donor outreach strategy.
• Conduct focus groups or surveys to gather insights from potential voters.
• If you are not doing so already, start attending and speaking at local events. This can include local town halls and community meetings.

3-4 months before the election:

• Continue fundraising efforts, with a focus on small, local donations.
• Plan out and get started with your door-to-door canvassing efforts.
• Attend candidate forums and debates.
• Develop a media relations strategy to proactively engage with local media outlets.
• Identify and reach out to potential endorsements from influential individuals or organizations.

2 months before the election:

• Plan and hold events to build momentum.
• Continue door-to-door canvassing, calls, and phone banking efforts.
• Develop a poll monitoring plan for election day.

30 days before Election Day:

• Finalize your messaging and materials for your last mailings.
• Launch social media and online advertising ads to target key voter demographics.
• Conduct a volunteer recruitment drive to increase coverage for canvassing and phone banking.
• Schedule and participate in candidate forums and debates.
• Coordinate and execute a targeted direct mail campaign to reach specific voter segments.
• Engage with local unions, community organizations, and interest groups to secure endorsements.

21 days before Election Day:

• Begin early voting outreach and encourage supporters to vote early. (Depending on early voting dates.)
• Plan some larger public events, such as a rallies, to build momentum and visibility.
• Implement a digital advertising campaign to increase online visibility and target undecided voters.
• Launch a direct mail campaign to targeted voters.

14 days Before Election Day:

• Ramp up door-to-door canvassing efforts, targeting undecided and independent voters.
• Host a final meet-and-greet event for supporters. Try to raise money for a final advertising push.
• Conduct phone banking to encourage early voting and identify potential supporters.
• Put together and execute a radio and/or TV advertising campaign to reach a broader audience.
• Conduct a series of candidate interviews with local media outlets to amplify campaign messaging.

7 days before Election Day:

• Ramp up get-out-the-vote canvassing and phone banking. Target registered voters who have not yet voted.
• Host a final public event, such as a town hall or meet-the-candidate event.
• Organize a “Get Out the Vote” rally to energize supporters and encourage voter turnout.
• Send out final email and text message reminders to supporters and potential voters.
• Establish a voter hotline or helpline to address any issues or concerns on Election Day.

Election Day:

• Ensure all get-out-the-vote and poll monitoring efforts are in full force.
• Deploy volunteers to monitor polling places and report any irregularities or voter suppression.
• Watch the election results as they come in.

Election Night and Post-election:

• Monitor the certification of election results by local authorities.
• Thank your volunteers and supporters for their efforts.
• Make concession or victory speech.
• Develop a post-election communication plan to stay connected with supporters and maintain momentum.

1 Week After Election Day:

• Engage with the community and establish relationships with newly-elected officials, if applicable.
• Identify and engage with key stakeholders to help achieve your policy goals, if applicable.
• Host a post-election event to thank supporters in person.
• Conduct a post-election analysis to evaluate the campaign’s strengths and areas for improvement.
• Begin the process of building coalitions and alliances with other elected officials for future policy goals.