Start Local
Every failed political movement started at the top. We start with the races closest to your life.
Why Local Matters
School boards control $800B+ in annual spending. City councils set zoning, police policy, and local taxes.
Three Paths In
School Boards
- •~13,500 school districts in the U.S.
- •~90,000 school board seats nationwide
- •Most are nonpartisan elections
- •Terms: typically 4 years
- •Filing: varies by state, often just a petition with 25–200 signatures
“You don't need the party on the ballot to run for school board — you need a petition and a plan.”
City / Town Councils
- •~19,500 municipal governments in the U.S.
- •Mix of partisan and nonpartisan elections
- •Terms: typically 2–4 years
“City councils decide zoning, policing, local taxes, and whether your community builds affordable housing.”
State Legislatures
- •7,383 state legislative seats across all 50 states
- •Almost all are partisan elections
- •Terms: 2–4 years
“State legislatures write the laws that affect your daily life far more than Congress does.”
How to Get Started
Find your race
Check your state’s Secretary of State or local election office website to see what seats are up in your area.
Check filing deadlines and requirements
Every state and locality has different rules for petitions, filing fees, and deadlines. Start early.
Read the CGP platform on the issues that matter locally
Education, housing, public safety, infrastructure — the platform gives you a policy foundation for any local race.
Sign up and we’ll connect you with resources
We’re building a candidate support network. Tell us you’re interested and we’ll help you get started.
Ready to run?
If you’re thinking about running for local office under the Common Good Party banner, we want to hear from you.
I Want to Run