Interested in Running for Office?

Are you considering running for office in 2024?  OCDP members are ready to help!  If you have questions on any of the following information, please contact our Recruitment Committee Chair at runforoffice@ottawadems.com.

Your starting point for any race is the Ottawa County website: miottawa.org. 

On the homepage, select the “Divisions” tab, then “Elections”. The elections menu has all the information you need to file paperwork, access campaign finance information, find which positions are available in your precinct/district, length of terms, current officeholders.  There is a particularly useful “find my elected representative” interactive map – simply click your jurisdiction and find all elected representatives including township trustees, city councils, commissioners.

https://gis.miottawa.org/ottawa/wab/findmyelectedofficials/

The screening and recommendations committee has also created this downloadable guide with more information on specific offices, their roles and responsibilities and more.

How do I run a campaign?

Kim Nagy, a former candidate herself, has created this guide to help candidates understand what is involved in running a campaign.

How will the Ottawa County Democratic Party support my campaign?

While the county party does not run campaigns on behalf of candidates, there are a number of ways candidates can access support. The first step is to reach out to us at runforoffice@ottawadems.com for an official endorsement from the Ottawa County Democratic Party. This committee is run by volunteers and recommendations take place at the monthly executive committee meetings, so it’s important to seek an OCDP recommendation early in your campaign to maximize the party’s support.

Additional details on obtaining an endorsement, including OCDP’s endorsement policy, can be found here.