How to run for local office

How to run for local office. I thought I would put together a little page here just from my experiences just the different knowledge and things that I gained on how to run I used the number of sources people and information to compile this I just felt like it would be worthwhile to have a page on my site that was all about running for local office this is at the City municipal level since that's the experience. 

 so far I've run once in my life I lost by three volts but I plan on running again... 

Misc printable things that could be useful  

https://www.printablesigns.net/category/campaign 

https://www.printableconstitution.com/ 

https://www.printableflyertemplates.net/ 

https://www.printableprotestsigns.com/ 

The right paperwork filled out

that would be at local state and federal level if needed.

Flyers  

some full color some black and white 

 https://www.canva.com/ is a good place to get them made they will get printed off at a FedEx print shop.

Yard signs 

https://www.crazycheappoliticalsigns.com/ 

about half price what a lot of other signs would cost they can print you off more if needed and good quality signs etc..

Using local union labor could help with getting more votes it will cost more but if its a nonpartisan office then 

Non-local non-union are the above list. Knowing what I know now and being able to raise funds etc I would go with the local union option below. 

https://adcraftprinting.com/ this is a local union print shop. When I worked at a phone co-op my local was CWA 7101  the same local that representatives the Cedar Rapids Public library workers and Linn County 911 Operators. 

https://www.cwadistrict7.org/about-d7/staff/ 

https://cwaprintshops.com/printers/name/adcraft-printing-company-inc/ 

https://adcraftprinting.com/ 

Website  

https://www.namecheap.com/ for the domain 

many options for hosting the site

When I ran the 1st time I was 100% self-funded I am going to put some info here about campaign finance laws in Iowa 

Every committee must name a treasurer who is an Iowa resident of majority age. A committee must maintain a separate banking account in an Iowa financial institution, with all campaign receipts and expenditures flowing through this account. (EXCEPTION: A candidate who uses ONLY personal funds and does not accept EVEN ONE DOLLAR from another source is not required to open a separate bank account).

https://ethics.iowa.gov/guide-local-subdivision-candidates 

More links 

https://webapp.iecdb.iowa.gov/Default.aspx

The right paperwork filled out

that would be at local state and federal level if  needed

Iowa Secretary of State Candidate FAQ

https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/candidates/faq.html#1 

https://www.localofficeguide.net/ 

Linn County campiagn info 

https://www.linncountyiowa.gov/359/Candidate-Campaign-Resources 

 https://www.linncountyiowa.gov/861/Filing-for-Local-Elections-2023-2025-etc#city 

If someone is running a race and its not just unopposed then the LWV will run a forum Here is an example of what happened with my run.  

 3 candidates vie for Hiawatha City Council seat in special election  

https://www.thegazette.com/local-government/3-candidates-vie-for-hiawatha-city-council-seat-in-special-election/ 

https://bnnbreaking.com/local-news/hiawatha-city-council-election-flynn-kirkpatrick-weigel-vie-for-vacant-seat 

League of Women Voters Forum Video Facebook link 

https://www.lwvlinncounty.org/ 

Jill Weigel narrowly elected to Hiawatha City Council | The Gazette

https://www.thegazette.com/local-government/jill-weigel-narrowly-elected-to-hiawatha-city-council/ 

https://www.thegazette.com/podcasts/gazette-daily-news-podcast-thursday-march-7-2024/ 

https://www.kcrg.com/2024/03/06/linn-mar-marion-pass-public-measures-hiawatha-city-council-tight-race-special-election/ 

https://600wmtradio.iheart.com/content/2024-03-07-new-council-member-elected-in-hiawatha-by-three-votes/ 

Signs

 $236.34 for 20 signs on crazycheappoliticalsigns.com

$150 for Canva for 500 flyers full color one sided flyers 

$386.34 for total 

Voter Registration List from county $10  

Here is a link to a PDF that list eveyone since 2000 that bought that list their contact info for what campigain etc...

https://www.linncountyiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3967/Linn-County-Voter-List-Customers-PDF 

Website 

$50 I can create really cheap websites and some really high end ones. Also create a Facebook page and promo this on your LinkedIn too. 

If I kept it self funded next time

I think if  I were to go fully self funded again I would put more money into the signs and get more of them. they advertise your campaign 24/7

Having a basic black and white laser printer would be good to use I did use that after I ran out of my 500 copies I would do black and white front and back half sheet flyers 

When I run again and have outside funding then I will add info on how to spend more if I get it but I think most of it would go to printing and sign costs because it would be union and full color front and back and door hangers  etc..

I like some of the ideas of keeping money out of politics and no negative campaigning but what is reality like?

Merit should win out but in the end its a popularity contest

If you don't go for it you wont get it  

software 

https://www.anedot.com/  or https://secure.actblue.com/ 

DR2

https://ethics.iowa.gov/