If you’re passionate about serving your community, running for office is a great way to get involved. Running for office might sound like something reserved for seasoned politicians, and some roles do have specific requirements, but many other positions are held by everyday people who care deeply about their communities.

The first step to running for office is to research what roles are available where you live that align with your interests and qualifications. You should also consider which positions are aligned with your schedule — while many positions are full-time commitments, there are plenty of part-time roles that you can hold alongside your current responsibilities. Some roles have residency or age minimums, and others may require signatures to get on the ballot. Run for Something’s “Where Can I Run” website is a helpful tool; visit the “Action” link below to get matched to positions that match your area and age bracket.

Once you have a role in mind, you need to clarify your platform. If elected, what values will you bring to the office? What issues will you champion? With that information in mind, you can activate, build, and grow your support system. Start with your immediate network, and then expand on it by speaking to community members, connecting with local groups, and attending events. You can also connect with aligned organizations, such as the following:

• Run for Something supports young, progressive first- or second-time candidates running for local office by providing training, toolkits, and even one-on-one guidance. Visit the “Definition” link below to learn more and get involved.
• The League of Conservation Voters works to support pro-environment, pro-democracy candidates in races across the country.
• If your background is in science or medicine, you can connect with 314 Action, an organization that supports candidates with STEM backgrounds.

You don’t need a background in politics to run. What you do need is a clear vision, a strong community, and the willingness to step up. Our climate needs more leaders ready to drive positive change, and you may be just the person for the job!