1. Local Candidates Basic Training
Coulee Progressives
La Crosse Library
11/12/16

2. Topics for Today Important Dates:
Nomination Papers Begin December 1, 2016
2017 Spring Primary
February 21, :00am
2017 Spring Election
April 4, :00am
Why would I run for office?
What offices should I run for?
How do I get on the ballot?
How do I plan my campaign?
My District
My Voters
My Communication Pieces
My Opponent
How much will this cost?
I’ve been elected, now what?

3. Why would I run for office?
Each person’s story is different, but knowing your “why” is important.
Personal Concerns/Issues: Consider if there are specific issues you want to address, needs you see, etc.
Community Issues: Ideas or issues of concern to the people living in the district.
Important to cultivate your reasons for running:
As source of motivation to complete all the steps in the campaign
A response to those who ask you during the campaign
Source of ideas, concepts, for your campaign literature pieces
Means to differentiate yourself from an opponent

4. What office should I run for?
Local non-partisan races are city council, village/town board, school board, county board.
Where do you want to contribute? What issues are of greatest interest?
Check the meeting schedule and commitments. How much time do you have to give versus what is required?
Alternatives to seeking elected office: seeking community member positions on boards, committees of the city/county/school district.

5. How do I get my name on the ballot?
Need to file paperwork with the Municipal or County Clerk or school district to begin the process.
Typically these are (in order):
Declaration of Candidacy
Campaign Registration Statement (includes financial information)
Nomination Paper for Nonpartisan Office
View more info at: -partisan

6. Getting on the Ballot
File appropriate forms with Clerk/School District, ask them to check for missing information.
Collection of signatures typically spans from first week in December to first week in January (confirm dates with the clerk) for spring elections
Number of signatures depends on level of office, larger district or position equates with more signatures needed. County Board = 50
Others can circulate forms for you
Ensure all forms are turned in on time
You can submit multiple batches of forms.

7. Getting on the Ballot (cont.)
Triple check the forms:
Be sure all information is correct
Signatures are from people in your district
Circulator signs bottom, must be dated on or after date of last elector signature.
Inaccuracies may disqualify entire pages of signatures
2016 City of Onalaska Mayoral, Onalaska School Board races candidates blocked from ballot due to errors
Always seek more than the bare minimum amount.

8. Finances and Amending forms
Candidates can claim exemption from filing financial reports if they:
Plan to spend no more than $2,000 during the election cycle
Do not receive contributions in excess of $100 from a single source (other than the candidate themselves), or receive more than $2000 overall.
If there are any changes to information on your forms, i.e. exemption from financial reporting, you can and need to file amendments with the clerk.

9. Ballots and Primaries
Clerks will certify the signatures and post the candidates for the office.
Offices with more than two candidates per office will need to hold a primary run off.
Primary usually held in February to narrow field to two candidates for April election
Primary leaves little time to campaign, about a month.

10. Campaigning Information and Communications
Where is my district?
Get Maps, learn boundaries, which wards are involved.
Who are my voters?
Access voter lists from Clerks office.
Fee for print or electronic copies.
Determine how many election cycles to go back. Focus on past 3-4 Spring elections only.
This list will be critically important.
Know if you have a transient district where people move often. May impact how many elections you pay attention to.

11. Use of Voter Lists
List provides names, address, district of persons who voted in previous elections.
Serves as a list to direct your campaign efforts towards, those who actually vote.
Door knocking, literature, phone calls, etc will be directly primarily at those on this list.
Once secured, work with list to order it, identifying the most likely voters from last 3-4 cycles unless in transient district.
Organize lists by address, combine people at same address.
Time for your spreadsheet skills, or a friend who has them.

12. Communication Pieces
Direct your efforts to those most likely to vote using the list. (3s, 4s i.e. voters from last 3 or 4 spring elections)
Focus efforts on door knocking & door literature, followed by other pieces.
Goal to hit the doors or mailboxes of votes 3- 4 times before election.
Examples include: door piece, letter/survey, friends cards, mailer, follow up thank you card to door knocking.
Yard signs: high cost, unsure of benefit.

13. What to put on the Pieces, Where to Print them
Basic structure involves:
Your Name
Picture (single or with others, family)
Position you are seeking
Date of Election
3-5 Major Traits you have or Goals you have for the positon
Some background info, community involvement
Contact info
Authorization statement “Paid for by ”
Where to Print
Local Print Shops can help
Consider how many pieces are needed
Possible to print and mail from same business
Self Printing an option but compare costs

14. Knock, Knock, Knocking on Voters’ Doors
Getting to meet people
Hints for Success
Organize your voter list by address
Hit doors of only Likely Voters
Map out subsections
Practice sec speech, Why you are running and want to accomplish
Keep notes on each door interaction
Goal is to cover district multiple times.
Avoid dark hours
Avoid Packer games, Badger games
Heed No Soliciting signs.
Have a driver or companion.
Have Door Pieces with you, sign some “Sorry I Missed You”
Avoid Debates, identify as non- partisan candidate

15. Other Communication Types & Timing
Letters to Editor: find a few friends to write for you
Newspaper Interviews: don’t neglect, study up on issues, have picture ready.
Candidate Forums: not always held, but useful to attend.
Newspaper Ads: Limited to those taking the paper. May not get in electronic copy. High cost, low impact.
Facebook sites or ads, Social Media. Possibly helpful, Know your district & voters if they have access. Demand regular posts and management. Not a replace for door knocking.

16. Timing of pieces (calendar)
Dec-Jan
Get Paperwork
Collect & Submit nomination signatures
Jan-Feb
Get voter lists, organize lists
Hit first round of doors
Possible first mailer
If primary, this is mandatory
Feb-Mar
Second round of doors
Organize Letters to editor
Friends cards, Yard Signs out last 2-3 weeks
Second mailed piece (Absentee Lists, Mailer)
Tribune article, Forums
Week before April Election Day
GOTV, calls, one last weekend for doors on likely voters

17. Your Opponent(s) Study actions, votes, positions taken.
Study the contrasts, identify any differences, make use of them in your literature or door to door conversations.

18. How much will this cost?
Depends on how many print pieces are done, if they are mailed.
Price out with the vendors, prints shops.
Yard Signs are roughly 3-4 dollars per piece with the posts
Mailer to 300 voters might be about $1.00 per piece at bulk rate = $300 (may or may not include design) (2 page letter, printed, folded & Stuffed, Bulk Mail)
Door card about $0.75 a page, printed and cut.
Manage costs by narrowing lists
Use more lost cost methods (i.e. door knocking, letters to editor)

19. I’ve been elected, Now What?
Meetings will start in April
Contact with the leadership of the council or board
Meet with staff to get access to materials, technology
Begin to learn the work, committee and full body.
File any needed campaign paperwork.
Seek to build the relationships with the other members of the body.
Send thank you notes to your supports, helpers.