How to Run for County Commissioner: Step-by-Step Guide

If you’ve ever wondered how to run for county commissioner, chances are you already care enough to make a real difference. You want to see your community thrive with safer roads, smarter budgets, stronger social services, and leadership that actually listens to community needs. 

Across the United States, there are 3,143 counties or equivalents, each governed by boards of elected officials. Members of these boards are usually called county commissioners or supervisors, and they handle local government business at the county level. These aren’t career politicians. They’re our neighbors, teachers, local business owners, and retirees: people like you who decided to step up.

One of the most critical aspects of county commissions, though, is they’re typically non-partisan. The people managing your county’s government aren’t focusing on Republican vs. Democratic party lines. They’re focusing on real people and community needs. 

So, when you run for country commissioner, your name will appear on the ballot without a party label. Without a party label, you have the opportunity to run on your own beliefs and values, allowing voters to focus on your vision and ideas, not your party affiliation.

This guide will cover everything you need to know about how to run for county commissioner, from eligibility and paperwork to campaign strategy and winning your race.

What Is a County Commissioner?

A county commissioner is an elected official who helps lead the county government. Depending on where you live, this role might be called a supervisor, freeholder, or council member. Still, the job is largely the same: county commissioners make decisions about budgets, land use, public health, infrastructure, and essential services.

Typically, each council member represents a district within the county. Each county board usually has three to nine commissioners, though the number depends on the size and population of the county and the number of districts. Additionally, the county board may have a sole commissioner for small or rural counties. 

Some states have unique forms of county government. For example, the equivalent of a county commission in Texas is called a Texas County Commissioners' Court, which involves four commissioners and one county judge. In some states, like Kentucky, counties are run by an elected group called the Fiscal Court. The Fiscal Court sets policies, approves budgets, votes on financial matters, and manages much of the same areas that the other forms of county government oversee.

Louisiana, which has parishes instead of counties, has a police jury form of county government. The police jury is an administrative and legislative council that operates similarly to a traditional county commission. Parishes elect a minimum of five members and a maximum of 15, but if the population is less than 100,000, only three members need to be elected.

County governments typically have various county departments and staff that help execute their responsibilities, such as waste management, tax assessment and collection, law enforcement, clinics and hospitals, county courts, parks and recreation, and more.

What Do County Commissioners Do?

Commissioners have a vast range of responsibilities, and day-to-day tasks may vary depending on the location and time of year. But, county commissioners typically:

• Approve and manage the county’s budget

• Oversee departments like transportation, public works, and public safety

• Set local tax rates and spending priorities

• Decide on zoning, permits, and development

• Represent the needs and concerns of residents

While county administrators and people who run specific local departments handle day-to-day operations, the commission sets the direction and is responsible for holding them accountable.

Why Run for County Commissioner?

Running for county commissioner isn’t about power or prestige. It’s about serving your local community. Local government ultimately plays a significant role in everyday life, and commissioners are in a position to make decisions that directly impact people's lives.

A few reasons you might decide to run for county commission include:

• You want your community’s voice to be heard. Local leaders sometimes make decisions without real input from the people they represent. You can help change that.

• You bring valuable lived experience. Whether you're a parent, business owner, first responder, or lifelong resident, your insights can help make smarter and fairer policies.

• You’re ready to lead locally. County commission races often have low turnout, small budgets, and limited opposition. In many cases, they’re decided by just a few hundred votes. If you’re prepared and genuine, you have a real shot.

• You’re frustrated and ready to act. From ignored potholes to rising property taxes, people are fed up with the status quo in government across the board. Running for local office gives you a seat at the table and a voice in the decisions that matter.

If you believe your county deserves better, you don’t have to wait for someone else to fix it. You can make real change in your community for the better.

How to Run for County Commissioner: 4 Steps

Getting your name on the ballot and launching a campaign can seem overwhelming. But in most counties, the process is more approachable than you may realize.

These four steps will help you get started, connect with voters, and run a winning campaign.

Step #1: Research the Role

Before you do anything else, you need to learn how the process works in your county and understand what being a county commissioner entails. Local rules vary a lot, so you’ll want to be clear on eligibility, filing requirements, and key dates.

Who Can Run for County Commissioner?

Each state and county sets its own rules, but generally, to qualify to run for county commission, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen

• Be at least 18 years old

• Be a registered voter in the county (and typically in the district)

• Have no disqualifying criminal convictions

• Meet residency requirements (often 6-12 months in the district)

Some places may require a filing fee or nominating signatures; others may have restrictions if the county currently employs you.

Who Votes for County Commissioners?

County commissioners are locally elected, so the people voting for you when you run will be: 

• Registered voters in the county

• At least 18 years old

• Residents of the same district as you

It’s crucial to understand where your district is (and isn’t) and who lives there. These are the people you’d be serving and the people you’d answer to if elected. 

How Long Do County Commissioners Serve?

County commissioner terms are usually four years, but some counties have two- or six-year terms. In many areas, elections are staggered so that only part of the commission is on the ballot at any given time.

LEARN MORE: Find the term lengths of county commissioners in your district with GoodParty.org’s election look-up tool.

Do Commissioners Get Paid?

Yes. Most county commissioners receive a salary that varies considerably based on the size and budget of the county. It might be part-time pay in small or rural areas, while in larger counties, it can be a full-time salary with benefits. According to Glassdoor, the average annual compensation for county commissioners in the United States is $170,000 to $311,000. However, check with your county board to better understand your area's compensation. 

When Are Filing Deadlines and Election Dates to Run for County Commissioner? 

The filing deadlines and election dates for you will depend on your location. However, when it comes to filing, you typically: 

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

• File between May and August of the election year for fall elections in November.

Our election look-up tool can help you find what county commissioner elections are coming up in your area. Once you find your district, you can see the election date, filing deadline, and more specific details about your district’s upcoming county commissioner race.

Armed with the knowledge of what a county commissioner does, when you need to file, and when the election is, you can start to map out your path to victory.

Step #2: Plot Your Path Forward

Winning a local election takes strategy and passion. A thoughtful plan will help you stay focused and build real momentum.

Make Your Message Personal

When building your campaign platform, talk to your neighbors, friends, and local business owners. Find out what issues matter most to your neighbors. Are people worried about rising taxes? Are roads and emergency services underfunded? Is there a lack of affordable housing or transparency?

Don’t rely on vague talking points or try to appeal to political ideologies and party loyalty. County commissioners are often non-partisan, so talk to real people, listen to their concerns, and build your message around the real needs of your community.

LEARN MORE: Find out how to build a message people listen to for your Independent campaign.

Put Together a Campaign Team

You likely don’t need a massive team of 200 people. Even just a handful of loyal supporters can make a huge difference. Enlist your friends, neighbors, or former colleagues to help with things like:

• Social media

• Event planning

• Door-knocking and outreach

• Fundraising

Take advantage of software and tools, too. The internet has many options for paid and free campaign management software that can help you make the most of a likely limited budget. For instance, GoodParty.org can help with branding, peer-to-peer texting, and sourcing volunteers.

Make a Budget

Running for a local office like county commissioner is typically a lot cheaper than a state-wide or national campaign. However, the final cost depends on your district's size and the race's competitiveness. While you probably don’t need to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars, you will need some funds. 

To start raising money for your county commission race, you should:

• Set a target budget to get an idea of how much you can afford out of pocket and how much you’ll need to raise. 

• Open a separate campaign bank account.

• Plan fundraisers. They don’t need to be big, elaborate galas. Instead, plan events you know your community already enjoys, such as small house parties, community dinners, or even online or virtual events.

• Ask for small-dollar donations from local supporters. 

Track every dollar and follow campaign finance rules in your area. You’ll likely be required to report contributions and campaign expenses.

Step #3: Put In Your Paperwork

Although paperwork isn’t the most glamorous aspect of running for office, it is one of the most important. If you don’t follow the rules carefully, you risk being disqualified. Ultimately, exact filing requirements can vary by state and county, but most candidates need to complete:

• A Declaration of Candidacy or nomination form

• Financial disclosure statements

• Campaign finance registration, which usually involves naming a treasurer

• A nominating petition with voter signatures, but this isn’t always necessary 

Check the rules. You may need to get your forms notarized, and some require specific formatting. Also, double check the filing deadlines to ensure you don’t miss anything. 

Step #4: Run Your County Campaign

With all the paperwork filed and your campaign planned, it’s time to hit the ground running. Now’s the time to make sure your campaign identity is strong, you’re connecting with voters every chance you get, and you’re fundraising effectively to keep your campaign running. 

LEARN MORE: Keep your campaign on track with our political campaign checklist.

Build a Recognizable Campaign Identity

You don’t need fancy branding, but a few basics across campaign literature, shirts, buttons, and other merchandise go a long way:

• A consistent color scheme

• A simple logo or name design

• Clear, direct language about your priorities

Put this on your yard signs, flyers, website, and social media to help voters remember you.

Connect with Voters

People vote for people they trust, and you earn that trust through real connections and conversations.

Some effective strategies for engaging voters include:

• Door-to-door canvassing. Sure, social media and online campaigning are important, but knocking on doors is still one of the most effective tools to reach voters in local campaigns. 

• Hosting small events, like coffee chats or park meetups.

• Attending local events, like community forums, school board meetings, and public celebrations. 

• Posting regularly on social media to share updates and answer questions.

You don’t need to reach every voter in your county. However, you do need to make real impressions on the ones who show up to vote. 

Meeting your voters in person is a crucial step toward winning your election. James Gartner, who won his bid for county commissioner in Emmons County, North Dakota, largely attributes his win to the fact that he went out and spoke with voters in his community. 

“Candidates that show up at your door or show up at the coffee shop are going to have the advantage,” he said. “Just showing your face makes a huge difference.”

Having a sign-up form on your website is also a good idea for people who want to get involved. Volunteers are the backbone of every grassroots campaign, and their help is invaluable for canvassing and get-out-the-vote (GOTV) efforts. 

Fundraise with Intention

Fundraising is complex, and it’s often the person who spends the most in a race that wins. Remember to keep your fundraising simple and focused:

• Use a campaign website with a donation link.

• Share your donation link via QR codes on mailers and other campaign literature.

• Send the donation link to supporters via short emails and text updates.

• Host informal events with low overhead, like community BBQs or block parties. 

Don’t forget to thank donors, supporters, and volunteers publicly. They're part of your team, and being gratuitous to those who help you can go a long way for your public image. 

LEARN MORE: Get everything you need to know about political fundraising with our comprehensive guide.

Serve Your Community with GoodParty.org’s Help 

Running for county commissioner is all about stepping up when your community needs leadership. You don’t need decades of political experience or a big party machine behind you. You just need a vision, a plan, and the courage to show up.

Big change doesn’t always start in state capitols or Washington, D.C. It begins in local elected offices, with county meetings and community conversations. With the right tools, message, and support, you can win. But more than that, you can make real change where it matters most.

At GoodParty.org, we offer free and low-cost tools to help Independent and non-partisan candidates run strong, people-first campaigns. From messaging support to digital outreach, we’re here to help you organize, fundraise, and win without selling out to major donors or big political parties.

Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash