How to Run for Office: Info and Resources

If you’ve been considering running for office but don’t know where to begin, have no fear, because LEAD is here! Maybe you’re waiting for 2020 to put on your running shoes, or maybe you’re ready to run this year (yes, there’s still time!). Either way, whoever and wherever you are, we encourage you to take your desire to see change in your local and state community to the next level by running for office.

While we’re unable to work directly with any more candidates for the 2018 year, we still support and encourage you to run if this is your year. Please let us know so we can provide you as many resources as possible. The deadline to file your petition for the 2018 election is March 27th for primary election candidates and April 24th for independent candidates.

If you’re looking to run in the future, let us know! Our goal is to provide potential candidates with the skills and knowledge they need to be successful. That being said, here are some resources that tell you what you need to know if you’re planning on running for office now or in the future.

Important Dates
(Here’s the 2018 candidate calendar, which provides more detailed deadlines)
January 1st: Begin circulating petitions
March 27th: deadline to file petitions for primary elections (April 24th for independent candidates)
April 13th: Ready to Run South Dakota training in Sioux Falls (Get registered)
June 5th: Primary elections
November 6th: General elections

The Basics
VoteRunLead provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding how to run for office, and they have online resources to help you understand the process and decide what office to run for. Check out their website here. Here are some questions you may be asking at this point:

Q: Am I qualified to run for office?
A: With the exception of POTUS, any U.S. citizen can run for office, regardless of educational background and political experience. Eligibility and qualifications differ slightly depending on which level of office you are running for. Check out the SDSOS website’s qualifications to hold office.

Q: What office can I run for?
A: You can run for office in the area that you live. Check out the SDLRC website to find which district you’re in: South Dakota Legislative Districts

Q: How do I get on the ballot?
A: Ballotpedia details everything you need to know about getting your name on the ballot, outlining the steps a prospective candidate needs to take to run for office: Ballotpedia’s How to Run for Office

There’s a lot more to running for office than we’ve briefly covered here: there’s circulating your petition, there’s campaign financing and campaigning itself–it takes time and it takes work.

But! Do not let this deter you. Hundreds of women are running for office the first time in 2018, and we hope that hundreds more will run in the future. If you care about children and families, the rights of women, and want to see progressive change, then you should run. We want you to run, and we want to help you get across that finish line by giving you the tools and empowerment you need to do so.

So whether you’re running for office now, or you plan to in the future, we’ve got your back. LEAD on, friends.

ABOUT LEAD SOUTH DAKOTA

LEAD South Dakota is a registered 501c(4) nonprofit.  LEAD (Leaders Engaged And Determined) is a grassroots organization aimed at bringing awareness to issues facing South Dakota, the United States, and abroad. LEAD exists to foster a community of individuals who empower and encourage women to be actively involved in all stages of the political process in order to effect positive change for women and families in South Dakota.

LEAD is not affiliated with any political party or organization. We are welcoming and inclusive of all people, regardless of race, age, religion, ethnicity, national origin, color, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, or citizenship.