So you’ve decided to run for office, and you’re thinking, “What happens now?” You have undoubtedly received countless amounts of advice. It’s probably come from those already in office, those connected to the political world, or maybe even your friends and family. However, it is important to go into the process of running for office fully aware of all that it entails, so we have put together an honest list of three things no one tells you about running for office – from the perspective of someone who has over twenty years of experience in the petition and campaign world.
1. It’s complicated and intricate.
Each state has vastly different rules on how to nominate an individual or political party. It requires a good amount of research into your state and its requirements for getting on the ballot. Sometimes, it might be relatively simple to get on the ballot.
For example, in Oklahoma, you can get yourself or any issue you want on the ballot with $35,000. Some states, though, are more complicated. For example, California requires two thousand signatures for any U.S. House candidate trying to get on the ballot. This seems simple enough until you realize that those two thousand signatures have to come from the congressional district in which the candidate is running.
2. It’s common for candidates to fail to qualify.
It’s not a given that your name will end up on the ballot when you decide to run for office. As mentioned above, there are many hoops to jump through. If you’re unprepared or hire a company who is unfamiliar with what it takes to secure the number of signatures you need, the odds are high that you will not qualify for the ballot. This can end up being costly, frustrating, and embarrassing. You would recognize many names that have experienced this, and it has cost them greatly.
3. It’s expensive and daunting.
The threshold is high when you are running for office. For a seat in the House or Senate or the office of the President, the Federal Election Committee says you have to spend a minimum of five thousand dollars just to be considered a candidate.
Facing what you need to do to qualify can feel overwhelming. Gathering the correct number of signatures can get complicated. In Pennsylvania, for example, you’d need to find someone who lives in your district. That person also needs to be registered under your party. Only then could you circulate your petition and gather signatures. Additionally, voters may only sign for one individual. A signature is void if the voter signs for more than one candidate.
The Good News
Maybe after reading these three points, you are feeling overwhelmed. That is understandable, but here is the good news – we do this all the time and want to walk with you through the most difficult of processes.
On more than one occasion, we have delivered the signatures we were contracted to deliver when the surrounding circumstances seemed impossible. Running for office can be daunting, especially when you look at the difficulties you will face while getting there, and the company you hire to help you can make or break your political career.
It is crucial to hire a company that understands the intricacies of each state’s requirements, refuses to take no for an answer, and has the experience and depth of circulators to ensure your petition can be circulated successfully in your state. Let the Voters Decide has the experience to do all of these things. If you want to learn more about our services, you can visit our website.
