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Look at the offices you can hold in your county, city, or town so you know what your options are. Pick an office that you're passionate about with duties that you're able to manage easily. Some common local positions include mayor, treasurer, city council, and school board president. Check the duties of the positions you're interested in to see if they're something you want to do. For example, if you've previously worked in finance, you may run for treasurer. If you have a law background, you might choose to run for city counselor or law director. Each city or county may have different positions and duties. Be sure to check your local elections office or website to see specific information for your area. Make sure to determine whether the position you're running for is partisan or non-partisan. If you want a partisan position, you may need to affiliate with a political party or run as an independent. Think of 1-2 sentences about why you want to run for local office. Incorporate what values you hold or things you want to change for the better. When other people ask you why you want to run, be consistent with your message so you aren't telling others different things. For example, if you want to run for the school board, your message may be, "To help children learn through the most effective practices." Take firm stances on what you want to accomplish or else you might not be taken as seriously. Each position has different qualifications, but many require you to be a certain age and to have lived in the area you're running for a specific amount of time. Visit your local elections office or their website confirm that you qualify for the position you're running for. The full list of requirements for running in your area may be posted online on your local election office's website. Some offices require you to get support from local voters in order to run in a local election. Look at the requirements from your local election office to see what forms and petitions you need to provide. If a petition is required, then be sure to fill it out entirely and collect the number of signatures you need. Go to your local election office and ask them for a candidacy application. Fill out the forms completely and pay any required fees if there are any. Make sure to turn in the forms by the deadline specified at your office so your name is on the ballot for the election. Check your local office's website to see if the applications are available for you to print at home.
Choose the local office you want to run for. Develop a simple message that describes why you want to run. Confirm that you meet all requirements necessary to run in a local election. Investigate whether you need a petition with voter signatures to become a candidate. Fill out the application for candidacy for your local offices.