Running for office is a big decision—and announcing your campaign is only one part of the process. Long before you make anything official, there’s important groundwork to lay if you want to run a strong, organized campaign. This early phase, often behind the scenes, is your chance to plan, prepare, and build support without the pressures of public scrutiny. What you do now can set the tone for everything that follows.
In this post, you’ll find 10 key steps to take before you announce, along with tips on timing and examples to help you get started.
1. Make the Personal Commitment (12–10 Months Before Election Day)
Running for office doesn’t start with filing paperwork. Rather, it begins with a personal decision. Before you tell anyone outside your closest circle about your decision to run, you need an honest conversation with yourself and your family. Campaigning, even running for office at the local level, is a major commitment. It takes time, energy, and often your own money. You’ll be stepping into the public eye, and your schedule will quickly fill with events, meetings, and campaign responsibilities.
This is your moment to step back and ask:
- Do I have the time to commit to this campaign? Even a part-time race can feel like a full-time job as Election Day approaches.
- Is my family ready? Campaigns are public and can put stress on personal relationships. Having your family’s support will be critical.
- Can I handle public scrutiny? As a candidate, people will look at your personal life, your job history, and anything you’ve said or posted online.
Many successful candidates spend two to three months in this stage. They consult with close advisors and quietly explore whether running makes sense for them personally and professionally. This is not the time to rush decisions. It’s the time to listen, reflect, and build confidence in your choice to run.
Begin these conversations 12 to 10 months before Election Day. Thoughtful planning now makes everything that follows easier and more effective.
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2. Learn the Rules and Requirements (10–9 Months Before Election Day)
Understanding the legal rules of the race is the first step toward running a compliant—and successful—campaign. It may not be exciting, but skipping this part can derail your campaign before it even starts.
The basics are different in every state and district, so don’t assume you already know the process. Start by getting clear on:
- Finding out how to get on the ballot. This varies by state and office. Some positions require collecting petition signatures; others involve filing fees.
- Knowing your deadlines. Filing windows can open months before Election Day and often close well before the public is paying attention. Missing these dates means you’re out before you even begin.
- Understanding campaign finance laws. You’ll need to track every dollar raised and spent, and you may have to file regular reports with election authorities.
- Residency requirements. Some offices have strict rules about how long you must have lived in the district or ward you’re running in.
- Confirming any office-specific qualifications. For example, age minimums or professional credentials (sometimes required for certain roles, like school board, sheriff or judicial positions).
Begin your research 10 to 9 months before Election Day, even if you think you already know the requirements. Laws change, and early knowledge lets you plan your timeline with confidence. In many cities, school board candidates need to gather signatures months in advance of the general election. Starting research early ensures you’re not scrambling at the last minute to collect what you need.
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3. Research Your District and Potential Opponents (10–8 Months Before Election Day)
Successful campaigns are built on understanding the landscape—who votes, what they care about, and who you’ll be up against. Too many first-time candidates skip this step and end up reacting instead of planning. Solid research now allows you to make smart, targeted decisions later.
What You Need to Do
- Study your district demographics. Who lives there? What are their priorities? Look at voter registration numbers (party affiliation, age, turnout trends).
- Review past election results. What was the voter turnout? How close were previous races? This can tell you if the seat is competitive.
- Identify potential opponents. Incumbents, challengers, or perennial candidates—know their strengths and weaknesses.
- Understand the key issues. What matters most in your community? Taxes, schools, public safety? This will help you refine your message.
- Write your personal profile. This is the time to start putting together your candidate biography that tells your story to voters.
Do this research 10 to 8 months before Election Day. You want to identify opportunities—and obstacles—early, so your campaign strategy isn’t built on guesswork.
Tip: If voter turnout in your district is historically low in non-presidential years, you may need to focus more on door-knocking and Get Out The Vote (GOTV) efforts rather than big media buys. Understanding turnout trends gives you time to adjust your outreach strategy before you launch.
4. Build Your Inner Circle (9–8 Months Before Election Day)
No candidate wins alone. Long before your campaign goes public, you need a trusted inner circle to help you make smart decisions and stay on track. These are the people who will support you through the ups and downs and provide honest feedback when you need it most.
What You Need to Do
- Recruit a campaign manager (or someone to fill that role). Even in small races, you need a point person to coordinate efforts, keep things organized, and manage day-to-day operations.
- Choose a treasurer. Campaign finance laws are strict, and you’ll need someone responsible for handling contributions, expenses, and reports.
- Find trusted advisors. These can be friends or local leaders who will offer honest feedback on strategy, messaging, and outreach.
Many first-time candidates recruit a campaign treasurer from among their most organized, detail-oriented friends—someone who’s good with spreadsheets and understands the importance of keeping everything above board. You may also want a seasoned community member to serve as an advisor who knows the political landscape and can help you avoid common pitfalls.
Start assembling your core team 9 to 8 months before Election Day. Having the right people in place now will make planning and execution much smoother once your campaign goes public.
5. Start Fundraising Quietly (8–7 Months Before Election Day)
Raising money early gives your campaign momentum, credibility, and the financial flexibility to move fast when you announce. Many first-time candidates underestimate how much time and effort fundraising requires. Starting quietly, with the people who already believe in you, makes the process less intimidating—and sets you up for success.
- Begin with your personal network. Reach out to close friends, family, and professional contacts who believe in you. These are your early supporters and potential donors.
- Set an early fundraising goal. This is often your “seed money” that covers launch expenses: filing fees, initial printing, and event costs.
- Track every contribution carefully. Even informal donations need to be accounted for once your campaign is official. Work with your treasurer to stay compliant with local and state reporting laws.
Some candidates hold informal “kitchen cabinet” meetings. These are gatherings with close friends and early donors—to raise their first $1,000–$5,000. These funds often cover early outreach and event planning. Consider offering early supporters the opportunity to be part of your “founding circle” to give them a sense of ownership in your campaign’s success.
Begin fundraising 8 to 7 months before Election Day. A strong financial start makes it easier to attract larger donors, key endorsements, and volunteer support once you announce.
6. Increase Your Visibility Quietly (7–6 Months Before Election Day)
Before you announce, it’s important that you become a familiar and trusted presence in your community. You want people to recognize your name and associate it with involvement and leadership—even without signaling that you’re running just yet.
What You Need to Do
- Attend local events regularly. Town halls, school board meetings, charity events—be seen as an engaged community member.
- Volunteer or support local initiatives. Choose causes aligned with your values and issues you plan to advocate for.
- Engage on social media. Share thoughtful commentary on local issues without campaigning. Start becoming part of the conversation.
For example, a future city council candidate might participate in a neighborhood cleanup or support a local small business initiative—showing commitment to the community without overt political messaging.
Begin increasing your visibility 7 to 6 months before Election Day. Building genuine relationships now can make your official announcement feel like a natural next step, rather than a surprise.
7. Hone Your Message and Platform (6–5 Months Before Election Day)
You need to be crystal clear about why you’re running for office—and what you stand for. Voters need to understand your story and the specific issues you’ll champion. A focused, consistent message will help you cut through the noise and connect with the people who matter most.
What You Need to Do
- Clarify your “why.” Why are you running? Why now? What do you hope to accomplish in your elected position?
- Identify 2–3 key issues that matter most to your district and align with your experience or passion.
- Test your message. Share your ideas with trusted advisors, potential supporters, and community leaders to get feedback.
For example, a school board candidate might focus on “improving school safety” or “expanding career readiness programs” based on concerns raised by parents and teachers during informal conversations. The more your platform reflects real community priorities, the easier it will be to build support.
Start honing your message 6 to 5 months before Election Day. A clear, confident message makes your campaign announcement—and everything that follows—far more effective.
8. Plan Your Announcement Strategy (5–4 Months Before Election Day)
Your campaign announcement sets the tone for everything that follows. It’s your chance to make a strong first impression and build momentum. The more thoughtfully you plan it, the more effective your launch will be.
What You Need to Do
- Choose the right date. Coordinate your announcement with filing deadlines, local events, or news cycles that may impact timing.
- Decide on the format. Will you announce at a live event, post a video on social media, or hold a press conference? Pick what fits your audience and your resources.
- Prepare your materials in advance. Draft your announcement speech, press release, and talking points. Have campaign photos, logos, and branding ready to go.
- Line up early supporters and endorsements. Ask key individuals to stand with you (literally or figuratively) to show you already have momentum and community backing.
A candidate for county legislature might hold their announcement at a popular local park surrounded by family, friends, and key supporters, followed by a social media campaign sharing the announcement video.
Start planning your campaign announcement 5 to 4 months before Election Day. Having everything ready to go ensures a smooth, impactful launch and sets the tone for your campaign.
9. Prepare Your Campaign Infrastructure (4–3 Months Before Election Day)
Once you announce your candidacy, things will move fast. Having your systems in place ahead of time allows you to stay focused on voters—not scrambling behind the scenes.
What You Need to Do
- Open your campaign bank account. Make sure your campaign finance accounts are set up in compliance with local and state finance laws.
- Organize your donor and volunteer lists. Use spreadsheets or a simple CRM to track supporters, donors, and contacts from the start.
- Draft and finalize campaign materials. Get brochures, yard sign designs, and palm cards ready so you can hit the ground running after your announcement.
- Set up your voter data system. If voter files are available in your state, obtain them and start organizing lists for outreach and GOTV efforts.
A first-time city council candidate might use simple tools like Google Sheets and Aweber at this stage before investing in more complex systems later in the campaign. Keep things simple early and grow your systems with your campaign.
Complete this infrastructure setup 4 to 3 months before Election Day. The more you prepare now, the more time you’ll have later to connect with voters.
10. Strengthen Key Relationships Before You Announce (3–2 Months Before Election Day)
The final step before announcing your candidacy is locking in the people who will stand beside you when you go public. Early endorsements, volunteer commitments, and trusted allies show that you already have support—and they can amplify your message from day one.
- Secure endorsements from respected community leaders. These might include elected officials, local business owners, clergy, or heads of community organizations.
- Reconfirm your core volunteers and donors. Make sure they’re ready to publicly support you and help with your campaign launch activities.
- Have one-on-one conversations with key supporters. Personal conversations make people feel valued and invested in your success.
A candidate for state representative might arrange a personal meeting with a respected school principal or popular business owner to time their endorsement with the campaign announcement. This creates a ripple effect—giving your announcement extra credibility and reach.
Start strengthening these relationships 3 to 2 months before Election Day. Giving people time to prepare makes it easier for them to be active participants in your launch.
Bringing It All Together
Announcing your campaign is just one moment in a much larger journey—one that starts months before anyone knows you’re running. The groundwork you lay in the quiet phase determines how smoothly your campaign launches and how effectively you connect with voters.
By securing early support, fine-tuning your message, and organizing your campaign infrastructure ahead of time, you position yourself as a serious, prepared candidate from day one.
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Tags: local campaigns, local politics, personal branding
