This is meant to be an informative general overview to help you become familiar with the basics of running for office, but is not intended to be legal or financial advice. Please consult trusted advisors when considering whether running for office is right for you.
Running for public office in Pennsylvania involves a few key steps, whether you’re seeking a local, county, or state position. Here’s a simplified overview of the process:
1. Choose the Office You Want to Run For
Decide which office best fits your goals—this could be township supervisor, school board member, mayor, state representative, or another position. Each office has specific qualifications and residency requirements.
2. Check the Requirements
Visit the Pennsylvania Department of State or contact your County Election Office to learn:
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Eligibility criteria (age, residency, party affiliation)
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Filing deadlines
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Petition signature requirements
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Filing fees
3. Gather Nominating Petitions
If you’re running as a party candidate in the primary, you must collect signatures from registered voters of your party in your district during the petition period (usually in February/March). Independent and third-party candidates have a different timeline and signature threshold.
4. File Your Paperwork
By the deadline, file things like:
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Nominating petitions
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Statement of financial interests
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Candidate affidavit
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Filing fee (if required)
5. Run Your Campaign
Once approved, start campaigning! Create a message, build a team, attend community events, and connect with voters. You’ll also need to:
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Open a campaign bank account
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Follow campaign finance rules
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Submit regular campaign finance reports
6. Prepare for Election Day
Encourage voter turnout, have volunteers at polling places, and be ready to accept the outcome—win or lose—with integrity.