Political Campaign Tips and Strategies by Online Candidate

What Are The Easiest Political Offices To Run For?

Running for any political position is a challenge, but some are easier than others. You may not have much political experience or have an unconventional background. But if you know your community, just your local experiences will be advantageous.

You might be wondering where to start your political career, or if there is political office positions list that you can reference. Many first-time candidates, especially those from diverse backgrounds, don’t know what political office to run for—or even what opportunities exist.

Local political positions typically have less responsibility than national or state-level elected positions. Local offices may include offices such as mayor, councilman or woman, city council member, etc. Political offices at this level require little to no experience but come with low pay and little job security.

National and federal offices have more responsibility and often require higher levels of education, like an undergraduate degree in political science or law.

So, what public office position should I pick? If you are looking for an elected position that is easy to win, you probably want to target one that does not require a large and expensive campaign.

Key Points:

Local positions to run for, like mayor or city council member, are generally easier to campaign for and win. These roles often require less political experience and involve smaller campaign efforts compared to higher offices.
Joining local boards and commissions, which are typically appointed positions, offers an easier and alternative pathway into politics. These roles allow for community involvement and experience in governance without extensive campaigning.
Running for non-partisan seats, often found in smaller cities and districts, can be simpler as it avoids the complexities of party politics. Additionally, uncontested elections, where there are few or no opponents, provide an easier opportunity to attain a political office.

What government offices and positions are available?

Local government seats are often easier to campaign for and win than state or federal offices. However, they can be just as important to the lives and welfare of constituents. Here are some offices that you may want to consider. The titles and duties vary depending on your state or municipality.

If you are looking to start a career of public service, consider running for these local government positions:

Local municipal governments are responsible for the governance of cities, town and villages. They oversee city-wide developments that affect their citizens and manage local services like schools, water supply, sanitation etc. City and town government create local laws and regulations to improve economic development to make their municipalities more desirable to residents, taxpayers and businesses. They also provide public funding to maintain civic infrastructure, which includes roads, bridges, parks, and recreational centers.

Local Elected Official Positions Include:

Mayor
City Council
At-Large Councilman or Councilwoman
Town Council
Alderman
Selectman
Precinct Delegate
Assessor

County governments are in charge of enforcing county and state laws and regulations. They provide public safety services to the people living in the county, including health care, sheriff and police protection, county courts, roads, and highway maintenance. The county is also responsible for the registration and authentication of vital events such as birth, marriage, and death records, voter registration, and election administration. They are also responsible for issuing certified copies of documents to individuals or organizations when requested.

A List of County Elected Officials Include:

County Executive
County Legislature / County Council
District Attorney
Coroner/Medical Examiner
Auditor
Sheriff
Auditor
Assessor

If you want to know more about your local elected officials, visit https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials. The site will provide you with a list of names and contact information for federal, state, and local elected officials, as well as their districts and population size.

One advantage of starting with a local position is that your district may be small enough for you to go door-to-door. This allows you to speak directly to voters and make personal contact. Many voters never have a politician pay them a visit. That personal touch provides a strong first impression and can help sway an opinion.

Canvassing as a local candidate impresses local voters and can help increase turnout.

For example, we knew a person in our town who had very strong opinions about a somewhat obscure topic. Fueled by this issue, she jumped into the political ring and ran for mayor. Rather than starting from a council position, she went for the top position in the village – and lost.

The next year she ran for an open board seat and lost.

A few years later, she ran again for the position of village justice. Again, she lost.

After failing to win her first election, her reputation took a hit. It was highly unlikely that she was going to win another local race going forward. Instead of continuing to run as a candidate, she might have accomplished her goals if she became involved in other ways…

Related:

Get appointed to a local board or commission

The easiest political offices to seek are those that do not require any campaigning at all.

Elected jobs are not the only way to begin a political career. Local boards and commissions are only two examples of public leadership positions that are filled through appointments.

There is often a need by local government to find qualified people to serve on boards. In many cases, you simply need to volunteer. Commissions and boards work on county or city issues and make recommendations directly to government officials and the public.

Types of municipal boards and commissions include:

School Board
Zoning Commission
Sewer Authority
Water District Boards
Advisory Boards
Planning Committees
Local Boards and Commissions Advisory Committees
Specialized Public Service Boards and Commissions, such as the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority or Chicago Transit Authority

Joining a local board is a terrific opportunity to get involved in your community. It can also introduce you to some new skills and teach you how the government works. You will be involved in running meetings, working with data, making public presentations, and writing reports and recommendations. It also involves learning more about various issues and the legislative process.

As a member, you’ll also have some behind-the-scenes influence.

By being involved, you can build a network that can be useful when you make a move to an elected office. You will also learn about how various constituencies must work together to achieve adversarial goals.

Best of all, even newcomers can make an impact. They can bring new ideas and energy that can shake up a board or commission that’s always done things the same old way.

Getting appointed to a local commission can provide great experience in local law and government process.

Running for non-partisan seats

Often an open, non-partisan seat is easier to run for in local municipal or district elections. You can avoid party identification and run on your own positions. Nonpartisan elections are held in many smaller cities, towns, and villages, where no political party is listed on the ballot. School boards, judicial positions and special board positions are typically non-partisan.

A lack of political opposition makes winning an election easy

The easiest elected offices are those where no one else is running. Winning an election when you are the only candidate on the ballot almost seems like cheating, but it isn’t.

Incumbents who run unopposed in uncontested elections easily win term after term, even if they are unpopular. Sometimes there are times when no one runs at all for a position, leaving a vacancy. Those situations can offer an opportunity for someone to offer a new voice to voters.

Maybe that person is you.

Who can help you decide which position is best?

You might want to talk to friends or family members who can tell you what type of elected position would be appropriate, given your skills and experience. Perhaps you know a local politician who can provide guidance or an endorsement.

If you’re a member of a political party, get in touch with your local committee to get more information on possible positions that might be available. A party organization can provide access to voter demographics, historical data, e-mail, and address lists. A strong party backing can help you get on the ballot by providing resources to recruit volunteers and promote yourself to the public.

Before diving into politics, be aware of the expectations and work required for the position you seek. There are resources available to help train new candidates in the basics of running a successful campaign. Take advantage of educational resources early so you are familiar with the processes involved in leadership, fundraising, and voter contact.

The average person is not born with the skill set to be a politician. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and patience to get to that point.

Even if you decide that holding a political office is not right for you, there are other ways to get involved in your community. Consider joining a citizen board where you can help influence policy. Or you can work for a local organization or volunteer your time elsewhere.

Ready to start your campaign? From political website design to marketing, Online Candidate provides services to help you get your digital campaign up and running.

A List of Our Best Sheriff Campaign Slogans

As a candidate running for sheriff, you’ll want to stand out from your opponents. Good campaign slogans helps keep candidates in the minds of voters.

As sheriff, your actions as the chief law enforcement officer in your county or city gives you an active role in your community.

Here is a list of some of our favorite slogans for sheriff:

Keeping our Community Safe
For Effective Law Enforcement
Character That Counts
A Proven Record Of Excellence
Experience Matters
A Sheriff You Can Trust
Community, Integrity, Commitment
Courage. Character. Community
Safer Streets, Safer Community
A Sheriff For The People
Proven Experience
A Department Accountable to the Citizens
Protecting our Neighborhoods
Service to the Community
Experience and Leadership
Committed to the Community
To Serve our Community
A Leader for Tough Times
[Location] Deserves Better
Protecting the People
Serving the Public Good
A [County/City] Sheriff for All

Your chief policies and issues will help enforce the law and keep the peace. The election slogan as you run for office should best reflect the theme of your campaign.

Voter turnout for local elections for sheriff can be low. There is not always a clear way to know when sheriffs and prosecutor offices appear on the ballot. A catchy slogan can help boost voter exposure and help win your sheriff campaign.

Related Posts

Start your sheriff candidate website today with Online Candidate. We’ve got the expertise, the resources, and the affordability you need to win. Contact us today to get started!

Online Political Candidate Training Programs

If you are considering a run for local or state office, you may not know where to start. From planning your campaign to getting out the vote, there is a lot to learn.

There is more help than ever available for political candidates and potential candidates. If you are new to politics, as a candidate or staffer, you are probably overwhelmed with questions. So, it’s a good idea to become educated about the election process, what it takes to win, and how to effectively lead.

Below is a list of organizations that help you run for office. Their online programs are packed with essential skills and insights that are crucial for any aspiring political candidate or campaign worker.

Political Training Courses and Programs

American Majority: Non-partisan, nonprofit that continually trains, organizes, mobilizes, and equips new grassroots conservative leaders. Offers in person and online.

Arena: Provides training to aspiring campaign staff, with a focus on recruiting and supporting women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Offers Arena Academies, a five-day intensive web program.

Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS): A national non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting Asian Pacific American participation and representation at all levels of the political process, from community service to elected office. The focus is on developing leadership, building public policy knowledge, and filling the political pipeline for Asian Pacific Americans to pursue public office at the local, state, and federal levels.

Blue Institute: Focusing on the South and Southwest, the Blue Institute works to bring more young people of color to become leaders, strategists, and key staff members of progressive electoral campaigns and organizations.

Collective PAC: Mission is to build Black political power through educating and equipping voters, donors, and candidates with instruction, technical assistance, advertising, and fundraising. Working to fix the challenge of under-representation of the Black community and help candidates run for office throughout the nation.

Dare to Run: Offers women candidates the chance to participate in a one-year certificate program in pursuit of a career path in public service. Dare to Run gives women the opportunity to be a voice for their communities by committing to run campaigns for elected office within two years of graduation.

Democracy for America (DFA): Building and empowering a broad coalition of grassroots organizers to elect the New American Majority—people of color and white progressives—to fight for inclusive populism at all levels of government in all 50 states. Offers online and in-person coaching. Founded by Howard Dean in 2004.

Elevate: Campaign Training for People with Disabilities: Helps people with disabilities learn how they can run for office to represent their community. Offers a series of webinars that teach core campaigning skills.

Emerge America: Recruits, instructs, and provides a powerful network to Democratic women who want to run for political office. Offers a number of boot camp and longer educational opportunities.

Emily’s List: Helps train Democratic women. The Ignite Change Fellowship is an eight-week virtual instruction initiative. It’s designed for community leaders, organizers, and advocates to develop their political skills and confidence.

Federal Election Commission: Each year, the FEC hosts two-day regional conferences where commissioners and staff conduct a variety of technical workshops on the law. Discussion topics include fundraising, reporting, and communications. Paid.

Higher Heights for America: National organization providing Black women with a political home exclusively dedicated to harnessing their power to expand Black women’s elected representation and voting participation and advance progressive policies.

IGNITE: Launched in 2010 to address the lack of women in elected positions. Hosts online events and schooling to accelerate young women’s path to political power.

National Democratic Training Committee: Free, in-depth training for Democrats who want to run, work, or volunteer on campaigns.

National Women’s Political Caucus: Supports pro-choice women running for elected and appointed office. Chapters include audio modules along with downloadable materials and worksheets. A fee is required for non-members.

Online Candidate Resources – Provides an article series, resources, and tools focusing on digital campaigning. Non-partisan, free access for Online Candidate website clients.

Ready to Run: A national network of non-partisan programs to encourage women to run for elective office, position themselves for appointive office, work on a campaign, or get involved in public life in other ways. The national network of Ready to Run® programs includes partners in more than 20 states around the country.

Re:Power: Originally Wellstone Action. Provides coaching, facilitation, campaigning, and capacity building. Offers long-term technology skills building, support, and guidance around digital organizing, engineering, digital security, and data and analytics for campaigns and grassroots movements. Applicants must be approved.

Running Start: Nonpartisan nonprofit that trains young women to run for government. With over 100 programs across the country, they’ve trained over 20,000 women. For high school and college-level students.

She Should Run: Road to Run is a virtual event series that provides women with a starting place for considering and exploring a future run as well as a baseline knowledge of what goes into campaigning.

Women’s Public Leadership Network: With an online network of state-based partners, their mission is to educate, organize, and inspire women to seek public office.

The Campaign School at Yale: Mission is to increase the number and influence of women in elected and appointed offices in the United States and around the globe. Provides nonpartisan, issue-neutral political campaign-training courses. Tuition is required for the live online session.

Resources for teachers: Selected articles for educators.

Partisan or Non-Partisan

While most of the programs above have a non-partisan curriculum, others are designed only for Republican or Democratic party candidates. They may also be geared toward conservatives or progressives. Some even offer certificates of completion.

Most of these training courses for candidates are free. A few require payment. Check the requirements before you register.

Please note that we do not endorse any of the materials or organizations. This list is provided for informational purposes.

Online opportunities are not the only way to get political trainings. There are many other opportunities for in-person education. Check with your local political party.

Online Candidate provides easy and fast campaign website services, resources for your digital campaign, and online marketing services. How can we help YOU?

A List of Our Best School Board Campaign Slogans

As a candidate running for school board, you’ll want to stand out from the other candidates. Good school board campaign slogans help keep candidates in the minds of voters.

As a school board member, you will take an active role in your community. You will have a hand in the policies and issues that effect your local school district, teachers and students. Your election slogan should best reflect your priorities as a candidate.

Examples of our best slogan ideas for school board candidates:

Better Schools For A Better Tomorrow
Working for a Better Classroom
Academic Excellence Today
Putting Students First
Make our Schools Great
Restore our School District
Working for Our Children
A Positive Voice For Our Children
Improve our Schools
Valuing our Children’s Education
Working for a Better District
Protecting Your Tax Dollars
Education is Key
Hard Choices, Better Schools
Common Sense Solutions
Education First
Better Schools for a Better Future
Your Voice on the Board
An Advocate for our Youth
A Good Education is Elementary
Accountability and Integrity
Inspire our Students to Achieve
Vote for Improved Education
Raise Your Voice, Make a Choice
Stop the Violence
For a Smarter Curriculum

How to create a great campaign slogan that speaks to voters

Come up with a few of the most important issues facing your school district. They may already be part of your school board campaign platform.
Are there any hot topics that are of interest to voters and will inspire them to turn out at the polls? They may be the reasons why a parent is considering whether to send their child to your district. Other issues often include the school district’s budget, school safety and security, teacher quality or effective career paths for students.
Brainstorm a few slogan ideas and refine them.
Choose your final slogan and use it in your logo, signs and print material.

Elections for school board often have low voter turnout. It’s important to stand out from your opponents. A catchy slogan can boost your exposure and help you win your election.

Start your website for school board with Online Candidate. We’ve got the expertise, the resources, and the affordability you need to win. Contact us today to get started!

Judicial Campaign Logo Design

The use of campaign logos for judicial elections is a relatively recent phenomenon and it has been found to play a significant role in the success of a campaign. A judicial campaign logo allows supporters to easily identify and associate themselves with a candidate. They can be seen as an indicator of the candidate’s judicial temperament, priorities and values.

Want a FREE logo design for your campaign?

Our custom political website packages include a free professional logo design. Hiring a professional political graphic designer is expensive. So is using a logo maker that charges to download a decent quality graphic file – and only tells you after you’ve done the work!

Regardless of who does the work, you will need a high-resolution logo file. Web graphics are created in low resolution. Brochures, print material, and yard signs require graphic files of higher quality. We provide our clients with high-resolution logo files for free so your branding is consistent.

Judicial candidates in particular tend to fall under local rules or restrictions for judicial signage. There may be regulations on using certain imagery or text. Be sure to know any existing rules so you don’t run into problems later. If we suspect an potential problem while we are creating your graphics, we’ll let you know.

Sample judicial candidate logos

Judicial Logo Tips

Keep the design simple and dignified. Many candidates for judge use a serif font, as it is reminiscent of law firm branding. However, script lettering is more challenging to read and may not translate well in print. It’s a good idea to keep the design simple and stay away from complicated graphics that take away from the candidate’s name.
Incorporate legal symbols. We often incorporate graphic elements such as a gavel or scales of justice. They are done in a way that lets voters know that the candidate is for judge.
Limit the color scheme. Judges tend to go with black and white or red and black. Odd colors may get attention but may also distract from the messaging. The position of judge lends itself well to stark, strong impressions.
Keep your look consistent. Much of your voter branding comes from your logo. If you change it during your run for office, you’ll lose much of that connection.

Judicial campaign logo templates are also available for download

Don’t need a website? We carry judicial candidate logo templates for both Adobe Photoshop and Canva. Either a free Canva account or Adobe graphic software is required, depending on the template purchased. We also offer political graphic design services.

Our Custom Judicial Website Packages includes a free custom logo design and header. We’ll also provide high-res versions for your print material. Why pay hundreds of dollars to have a designer just create a logo? We’ll make one for you – and it’s included with your website.

So You Want To Run For Sheriff? Here’s How To Get Started

A sheriff is normally the chief law enforcement officer of a county. They are usually elected by the people who live in their jurisdiction and have many roles and responsibilities.

As sheriff, you are mostly involved with keeping people safe by upholding the law. You must make sure that there is law and order in your county to protect people.

A sheriff’s duties include:

Keeping the peace and enforcing the law
Investigates crimes that take place in their jurisdiction
Presiding over the county jail
Acting as law enforcement for unincorporated areas of the county,
Providing security at local government buildings like court houses and voting precincts
Maintaining law and order in large public events while working with other law enforcement agencies (like police departments)
Handling emergency situations

A sheriff’s department has jurisdiction over a small area, usually a county, and deals with crimes that range from public order to homicide.

Did you know? The word “sheriff” comes from the Anglo-Saxon words “shire reeve” which means “county protector.” It was originally used to describe their role as an officer or overseer of a shire or territory at least two centuries before police forces existed.

What are the requirements to run for sheriff?

Qualifications to be a sheriff are often not hard to meet. You must be a qualified voter in the county where you are running for sheriff. Other qualifications may include:

Be at least twenty-one or twenty-five years of age or more
Have a clean criminal record
Pass the position’s physical agility test
Demonstrate your ability to write proficiently
Complete any required training programs

You may be ineligible to be sheriff if you are:

Currently suspended or discharged from any public office
Convicted of a felony
Previously removed from office by court order

The term of office for a sheriff usually lasts four years with no term limits.

What does it take to win an election as a sheriff candidate?

Running for office can be a complex and daunting task. Some people argue that you don’t need experience to be elected as a public official. However, the head of county law enforcement requires skills that come from experience – such as speaking in front of large crowds or being able to handle sensitive information with discretion.

There are certain things to know that will help you to prepare for your campaign. One is being aware of your strengths and weaknesses. You should know what your vision is, what policies you want to achieve as sheriff, and how you plan to do it.

Some common issues in sheriff campaigns

There are many community issues that a sheriff department faces. A candidate needs to know what they stand for, their policies, and how they will address community issues.

Some of the challenges that sheriffs face include:

Public safety and crime
Budgetary concerns
Effective communication between law enforcement and the community
Overcrowding in jails
High recidivism rates
Making jails safer and more efficient

The sheriff’s office must find innovative ways of tackling these problems. A sheriff’s job is not just about arresting criminals and locking them up in jail. They must also be an active part of the community and help bring about real change.

Problems with county jails are often an issue in sheriff election campaigns.

Creating a brand for your campaign

In many ways, the process of running for office is like creating and promoting a brand. Political campaigns must choose a slogan, create a logo, and choose colors before they can start building a website or creating print materials and signage.

Most sheriff candidates brand their campaigns tend to be one or more of these colors:

Blue: This color stands for security and trust. It has a strong connotation to law enforcement, which is why it is a good color choice for sheriff.
Gold: This color offers an elegant touch, while still indicating strength and professionalism.
Black: This color tends to be associated with power, strength, and authority.

One of the most recognizable symbols for authority in the US is a Sheriff badge. Most sheriff candidates include a badge within their campaign logo design. There are many distinctive styles for sheriff badges, but they all tend to be in the shape of a star. Departments have different badges; some are sided with five points while others use six-point stars.

Note: Most sheriff candidates may not use a photograph of themselves wearing a badge in campaign materials.

A sheriff’s logo should show their seriousness and authority. The logo should be clean, simple, and direct. It needs to convey that the sheriff’s office is there to protect the community.

How to campaign as a sheriff candidate

To get elected as a sheriff, it is important to have a plan of action. This plan should include how you are going to promote your campaign, who you’re going to target, and what issues you’re going to address.

You should make your campaign is based on substance, not soundbites. To get the support of voters, you need to tell them what your plans are for improving their safety.

Local campaigns traditionally use signs, brochures, texting, and phone banking as the main ways of communicating with voters. Promoting yourself door-to-door is a time-honored and effective tradition, but it can be exhausting canvassing from house to house.

Volunteers

Volunteers are needed for a local campaign to further the candidate’s chance of winning. Volunteers help organize fundraisers and canvass in neighborhoods. The power of a campaign can be amplified when people are willing to help. This is why grassroots campaigning relies on volunteers and supporters.

Fundraising

Successful fundraising events are crucial to the success of a campaign. When you are trying to fundraise for a local political campaign, you need to know your audience and its interests. Typical fundraisers include different dinners, rallies, speeches, and outdoor events.

Online campaigning

Today, most county sheriff departments use social media to get the word out about upcoming events, traffic updates, and crime prevention tips. There are also many sheriffs who use sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to help identify criminals. They may post pictures of suspects to get the public’s attention so they can identify the person.

Social media can be used as campaign promotional tool as well. Growing followers on Facebook and Twitter is fine, but paid online advertising is necessary to reach that audience. Of the two, only Facebook allows online advertising on its platform, and you’ll need to be authorized to run ads.

Campaign websites are the most important part of any digital promotion. A good website will promote your candidacy, educate voters, and even raise funds.

Getting voters to remember you on Election Day

Most voters don’t pay much attention to local politics, so a lot of people may be unaware of your upcoming sheriff’s election. Your campaigning goal should be to promote yourself and lay out your vision so that voters remember you on Election Day.