How to Run for City Council in 2025: Step-by-Step Guide

Thinking about how to run for city council but unsure where to begin? You’re not the only one, and this guide will help you get started. You care about where you live. You've seen potholes go unfilled, small businesses struggle, and your city make decisions that don’t seem to reflect what your neighbors want or need. 

Running for city council is one of the most direct ways to serve your community, improve local policies, and help your city grow in ways that work for everyone. The best part is you don’t have to be a career politician or have big party backing to step up. In fact, many city council elections are non-partisan, and many even go uncontested. Your voice and your values matter now more than ever.

This guide will walk you through exactly how to run for city council, from checking your eligibility and filing the right paperwork to building a campaign that connects with your neighbors.

What Is a City Council?

A city council is an elected body that helps run your city or town. Council members work together to pass local laws, shape policies, and make decisions about how the city spends its money and serves its people. Depending on where you live, you might represent a specific neighborhood, called a district or ward, or the entire city if your position is at-large.

City councils usually work alongside the mayor or a city manager, depending on how your local government is structured. 

The decisions city councils make affect nearly every aspect of your and your neighbors’ day-to-day lives, including: 

• Local taxes and spending

• Public safety, fire, and police services

• Housing and land use

• Parks, libraries, and recreation

• Infrastructure like roads and public transit

• Business regulations and licensing

• Environmental and sustainability efforts

If something’s not working in your city, there’s a good chance the council has a role in fixing it.

What Does a City Council Member Do?

City council members are sometimes called council members, councilmen or councilwomen, councilors, aldermen or alderpersons, or selectmen. Regardless of the terms used in your city, these elected officials help shape the laws and policies that govern your city or town. Whether it’s street maintenance, housing development, public safety, or small business support, the council is at the heart of it all.

Typical tasks for city council members include:

• Approving the city budget and monitoring spending

• Passing local laws and ordinances

• Overseeing zoning and land use

• Working with the mayor or city manager to implement policies

• Collaborating with other local leaders, like county commissioners and school board members, to solve problems

• Meeting with constituents and advocating for their needs

• Responding to residents' concerns and representing their district or ward

In short, city council members work together to determine how your city functions, grows, and supports its people. If you're passionate about making sure those decisions reflect the needs of real people, rather than just politics, running for city council may be the right choice for you.

Some council members are part-time, some are full-time, some are paid, and others are volunteers. Regardless, city council members show up, bringing the voices of their community to the table and helping to ensure that city government works for everyone.

Why Run for City Council?

Running for city council is about caring enough to lead and being ready to represent your neighbors in a real, meaningful way. Some reasons you might choose to run for city council are:

• You see problems and want to fix them. Whether it’s public transit that doesn’t serve your neighborhood or housing policies that don’t reflect reality, the city council is where change starts.

• You bring a needed perspective. Whether you’re a renter, a parent, a student, a business owner, or someone who’s been overlooked by city leadership, your voice matters, and your lived experience can lead to smarter, fairer policies.

• You’re ready to lead without party politics. Many city council elections are non-partisan, which means you don’t have to align with a party or push someone else’s platform. You can run on your own values, your ideas, and your community’s real priorities.

• You’ve waited long enough. Sometimes the decision to run starts with frustration. That’s okay. If you’re tired of feeling like your city isn’t working the way it should, running for city council puts you in a position to do something about it.

You don’t have to wait for someone else to step up. You can be the leader your city needs. Local elections are plagued by low voter turnout, and many who run for local office, like city council, run uncontested. In fact, in 2024, 74% of local races went uncontested. So, just by showing up and having a community-focused campaign, you have a good shot at making a difference. 

How to Run for City Council in 4 Steps

To run for city council, you’ll need to meet eligibility requirements, file paperwork to get on the ballot, build a local-focused campaign, and connect with voters through grassroots outreach. Most city council elections are non-partisan, making them accessible for Independent candidates. 

Step #1: Know the Rules and Do Your Research

Before anything else, you’ll want to understand the basics of your city council race. Knowing if you’re eligible, who your voters are, and specific details about your race will help you run a more informed campaign and be prepared to serve if you win. 

Who Is Eligible to Run for City Council?

While eligibility requirements vary by state and city, you typically need to be:

• A U.S. citizen

• At least 18 years old

• A registered voter

• A resident in the city or specific district or ward you’re running for, and you typically must be a resident for at least a specific period of time, like 30 days to one year

• Clear of any felony convictions or a disqualifying criminal history

If you’re a current city employee, you might be ineligible to run depending on your location's specific rules. 

How Long Do City Council Members Serve?

City council term lengths vary depending on where you live, but they’re typically two to four years. Some cities allow members to serve endless consecutive terms, while others have strict term limits in place.

Some examples of city council term lengths include:

• Austin, Texas: City council members serve four-year terms, and members can serve up to two consecutive terms.

• Cleveland, Ohio: Council members serve four-year terms with no term limits.

• Los Angeles, California: Council members serve four-year terms, with a three-term limit, totaling up to 12 years of service.

• Chicago, Illinois: City council members (called alderpersons) serve four-year terms with no term limits.

Because these rules vary so much, even within states, it’s important to check with your city clerk or local election office to learn the specific term lengths and limits in your city.

LEARN MORE: You can use GoodParty.org’s election look-up tool to see the term length of city council members for your district.

Who Votes in City Council Elections?

City council members are voted in by qualified voters in their district or city. While it may differ slightly depending on your location, a qualified voter is typically someone who: 

• Is at least 18 years old

• Lives in the district, ward, or city

• Is registered to vote in that location

When you’re running for city council, these are the people you need to win over. 

Are City Council Elections Partisan or Non-Partisan?

In many places, council races are officially non-partisan, meaning no party labels appear on the ballot. While this doesn’t prevent major parties from backing local candidates, city council elections being non-partisan allows you to run Independent or without any party affiliation. Without the attention on party politics, voters can better focus on your message and merits.

When Are the Filing Deadlines and Election Dates for City Council Races?

City council elections can happen in the spring or fall, depending on your location. Filing deadlines often fall several months before the election, sometimes as early as December or January. 

A general guideline for filing dates is: 

• You usually file between December and January of the previous year for spring elections in April or May.

• You usually file between May and August of the election year for fall elections in November.

Our election look-up tool can help you find upcoming city council elections near you. After choosing your district, you can see election dates, filing deadlines, and further information about your local city council elections.

Step #2: Plan Your City Council Campaign

Running a successful campaign takes more than good intentions. You’ll need a plan that’s focused, community-driven, and grounded in what your voters actually care about. Focus first on your message, your team, and your budget.

Define Your Message

What issues matter to you? More importantly, what matters to your neighbors? Start by talking with residents. Attend neighborhood meetings, chat at community events, and listen more than you speak.

Ask:

• What are the biggest concerns in our district or ward?

• What do people wish the city council would do differently?

• What kind of leadership do they want to see?

Then, build your platform around real, local solutions rather than political slogans.

LEARN MORE: See how to make a unique message for your campaign and community.

Build Your Team

You don’t need a massive operation, but you will need some help. Even a few committed friends or neighbors can make a big impact. Look for people who can help you:

• Do door-to-door canvassing

• Manage social media and digital outreach

• Plan events to raise money and awareness

You’ll also need a campaign treasurer and a campaign-specific bank account to handle your finances compliantly.

Don’t forget to leverage free and low-cost campaign management software. With the right tools, you can take a lot of stress off your campaign team. GoodParty.org can help you with things like press releases, yard signs, building a social media presence, and peer-to-peer texting (learn how you can get free text messages for your city council campaign!).

Budget Wisely

City council campaigns are often relatively affordable compared to state-wide or national races. However, they still cost money. Some common campaign expenses for city council races include:

• Filing fees (often $75–$200)

• Yard signs and flyers

• Website hosting

• Ads or mailers

• Events

Figure out how much you can comfortably self-fund, and then start building a fundraising strategy. Small-dollar donations from neighbors and fundraising through local events like BBQs or “coffee with the candidate” events can go a long way.

Step #3: File the Paperwork to Get on the Ballot

Filing paperwork when running for office can feel intimidating, but it’s totally doable. Just give yourself time and stay organized. Make sure you know your district’s rules and regulations fully, because if you miss anything, you risk being disqualified. 

To run for city council, you’ll likely need to file:

• Declaration of Candidacy: This form says you’re officially running. Some cities require it to be notarized.

• Financial Disclosure: You may need to disclose sources of income or potential conflicts of interest.

• Campaign Committee Registration: If required, this names your campaign treasurer and establishes your bank account.

• Background Check: Some districts may only require a signed statement saying you haven’t been convicted of specific offenses, while others require official basic background checks. 

• Petition Signatures: Many cities require you to gather a specific number of valid signatures from registered voters in your district. This number varies but could range from 25 to several hundred.

Gathering signatures can be difficult, but remember: it’s a great way to start meeting voters and building early momentum. 

Step #4: Run a Campaign for City Council

Once your name is on the ballot, it’s time to focus on building relationships and earning your community’s trust. 

LEARN MORE: Power your campaign forward with our political campaign checklist.

Be Visible and Be Human

You don’t need to be a polished politician or a gifted orator. All you need is to be real, responsive, and engaged.

Some ways you can start connecting with voters are:

• Knocking on Doors: Face-to-face conversations are at the core of every people-powered campaign. Voters often remember the candidates who took the time to show up.

• Attend City Council Meetings: Not only will this help you learn the dynamics and rules of serving on a city council, but it’ll help you better understand current community concerns and show you're serious about running.

• Use Social Media and Email: Share your story, your platform, and updates on where you’ll be. Make it easy for supporters to find and share your content.

• Build Your Volunteer Network: Even a handful of volunteers can boost your reach and power your grassroots campaign.

Keep your campaign rooted in your community. Learn about zoning debates, public safety concerns, housing issues, and transportation challenges. Then, tailor your solutions to what residents actually need, not what’s trending online.

Fundraise Your Way to a City Council Win

Although city council elections are typically less costly than national races, you do need funds to keep your campaign running. Some ways to get started are:

• Make It Easy to Donate: Make it possible to donate online through your campaign website, and remember to share the link everywhere.

• Host Purposeful Events: Your events don’t need to be massive galas. They can be small and simple, like coffee chats, meet-and-greets, or listening sessions at the park or library. Keep it simple, welcoming, and focused on listening.

• Take Advantage of Digital Outreach: Collect emails and phone numbers from day one so you can send newsletters and texts to inform your supporters of fundraising goals and upcoming events. Not only can it help raise funds, but digital outreach can also encourage people to get involved.

Be consistent with your outreach. The more people hear from you and see you at events, the more likely they are to trust your commitment and donate to your race. 

LEARN MORE: Become a master of political fundraising with our easy guide.

Make Technology Work For You 

You don’t need a big budget or party machine to run a serious race. The right tools can help level the playing field.

In Fayetteville, Tennessee, Joseph Faulkner won his alderman bid in part because he had access to detailed voter data.

“Voter data is invaluable for someone to run a campaign that's successful,” he said. “You need those data points to make sure that you're getting your message to the right people at the right time.”

Tools like campaign management software, peer-to-peer (P2P) texting platforms, and voter targeting systems can help you stay organized, reach the right voters, and keep your message consistent. And while there are plenty of tools out there, GoodParty.org makes them accessible, especially for Independent and non-partisan candidates.

In Milwaukie, Oregon, Adam Khosroabadi used GoodParty.org’s tools to power his city council campaign, from voter data and messaging support to P2P texting.

“You guys were like my campaign team,” he said. “Without you guys texting, I don't know if I would have won this race.”

He went on to win with 58% of the vote.

Whether it’s texting voters directly, organizing your field strategy, or building a digital presence, modern campaign tools can help you run smarter. 

Be the Change Your Community Deserves with GoodParty.org

When you run for city council, you’re stepping up for your community, giving your neighbors a voice, and offering an alternative to politics as usual. Leadership doesn’t have to come from party insiders or career politicians. Instead, it can come from someone who simply cares deeply about their community and shows up with purpose.

Local government shapes our daily lives more than most people realize. So, the people who serve on the city council matter. When someone like you runs, whether you’re a parent, a small business owner, or a lifelong neighbor, your presence can shift the conversation. You can help reset priorities and bring the community back into focus.

At GoodParty.org, we believe that real change starts locally. That’s why we’re here to help you run with integrity, connect with your community, and win without selling out. From campaign tools and voter data to texting, training, and strategic support — we’ve got your back.

You don’t have to wait for permission. You don’t need to wait for the “right time.” Your city is ready for new leadership. 

Photo by Meg von Haartman on Unsplash