Thinking about running for city council or a similar local seat, but not sure where to start?
Depending on where you live, this role might be called city council, city commission, town board, or something else entirely. However, the job and the path to getting there are largely the same.
If you want to make a real impact in your community, running for city council is one of the most direct ways to do it. This guide breaks down exactly how to run for your local council, from understanding eligibility and filing requirements to building a grassroots campaign that connects with voters.
What Is a City Council?
A city council is the city's elected legislative body. It is responsible for shaping local laws, budgets, and policies.
Depending on your city's structure, council members may work alongside a mayor and/or a city manager. Members may represent specific districts or wards, or serve at-large (meaning they represent the entire city).
City councils typically oversee:
- Local taxes and spending
- Housing, zoning, and land use
- Infrastructure, roads, and public transportation
- Public works, including snow removal and road maintenance
- Public safety services
- Parks, recreation, and libraries
- Business licensing and regulations
- Coordination with county and state officials on shared services
If something affects daily life in your city, chances are the council plays a role in it.
Other Names for Local Councils
Depending on where you live, this office may go by a different name, but the responsibilities are usually similar. The difference often comes down to whether you live in an incorporated city, town, or another type of municipality.
Here are some of the most common variations:
- City Commission: Some cities use the title of commissioner to refer to their local legislators.
- Town Council or Town Board: If you live in a town instead of an incorporated city, chances are you might be eligible to run for your local town council or town board.
- Board of Aldermen: The members of this local governing body may be called aldermen, alderwomen, or alderpersons.
- Board of Selectmen: Also called a select board, this title is commonly used in New England states. Some boards of selectmen operate very similarly to city councils, while others rely more heavily on the historic tradition of the open town meeting form of government.
In some cities, you might hear multiple titles used interchangeably. For example, your local council might officially be called a Board of Aldermen, but a candidate might say they're running for city council.
LEARN MORE: Learn the ins and outs of running for alderman, including what can make the position different from city council.
What Does a City Council Member Do?
Council members work to represent their community's priorities and solve local problems.
Typical responsibilities of city council members include:
- Passing ordinances and local laws
- Approving and monitoring the city budget
- Meeting with constituents and addressing concerns
- Overseeing zoning and development
- Collaborating with other local leaders
- Advocating for neighborhood needs
Overall, the role centers on listening, problem-solving, and helping your city function and grow.
How Much Does a City Council Member Get Paid?
Pay varies significantly depending on where you live.
In many smaller communities, council members might serve on a volunteer basis or receive a modest stipend, often in the range of $4,000 to $5,000 per year. For these members, the role is usually part-time.
In larger cities, council members can earn tens of thousands or even six-figure salaries, especially in major metropolitan areas. According to LegalClarity, mid-sized cities typically pay their city councilors between $40,000 and $75,000 per year.
Here are a few examples of council salaries:
- In Santa Clarita, California, council members made $29,336 in 2026. The council recently approved an increase to the pay of future members.
- In Park City, Utah, the city council recently approved a salary bump from about $29,000 to $34,000.
- In Phoenix, Arizona, city council members make between $77,000 and $79,000.
How to Run for City Council in 2026 in 4 Steps
You don't need party backing or insider experience to run a competitive city council campaign. What you do need is a clear plan, a grounded message, and consistent community engagement.
Step #1: Know the Rules and Understand Your City's Landscape
Before launching your campaign, get familiar with how elections work in your area. Every city and town sets its own rules, timelines, and district boundaries.
City Council Requirements to Check Before You Run
Before you commit to a campaign, confirm the exact requirements for the seat you want. Most cities require candidates to be a U.S. citizen, a registered voter, at least 18 years old, and a resident of the city or district you want to represent. In some cases, you have to have lived there for a minimum period before filing, like six months to a year.
Some council seats are elected by district or ward rather than at-large, so confirm which one applies to you through your city clerk's office. If you're unsure which district or ward you live in, your local government website should have maps or an address look-up tool.
Ballot access typically requires a declaration of candidacy. It may also require financial disclosure forms, a filing fee, or petition signatures, all with strict deadlines.
Finally, check for restrictions on current city employees or other conflict-of-interest rules that could affect your eligibility. Some cities prohibit current employees from seeking office for this reason.
LEARN MORE: Use our election look-up tool to discover the eligibility requirements for city council members near you.
Research the Specifics of Your Race
As you look into your local rules, check:
- Election Structure: Are seats elected at-large (by all voters) or by district/ward?
- Term Length: Most terms run two to four years, but some are longer.
- Partisan vs. Nonpartisan: Many local council elections are officially nonpartisan, meaning no party labels appear on the ballot.
- Vacancies: If a member resigns mid-term, is the seat filled by appointment or special election?
- Term Limits: Does your city place limits on how many terms an individual can serve? For example, Los Angeles, California has a three-term limit for its city council.
- Election Timing: Some places vote for city council in November. Others hold municipal elections in the spring.
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Know Your Filing Deadlines
Your filing deadline is one of the most important dates to remember as you prepare to run for office. If you miss the deadline, you will likely be ineligible to appear on the ballot.
Filing periods vary, but as a general pattern:
- Spring elections in April or May: File between December and January
- Fall elections in November: File between May and August
LEARN MORE: Read a step-by-step guide to filing for local office.
Step #2: Plan a City Council Campaign That Connects With Voters
You don't need a massive team or big donor network to run effectively. You need a clear message, a solid plan, and community engagement.
Define Your Message
Your message should reflect what matters most to the people you hope to represent. A simple way to start is to answer three questions:
- Why are you running?
- What do you want to improve, protect, or change in your city or district?
- How will your experience or perspective help you serve?
Start by listening: What concerns come up at neighborhood meetings? What do residents wish the council would focus on? What change do people want to see in your district?
Jermaine Howard, a city council member in Kansas City, Kansas, described his motivation this way:
“I was just a concerned resident that grew up in the community. I had an opportunity to serve at a higher capacity, and so I took the opportunity to do so.”
Build Your Team
A few committed helpers can make a huge difference, especially in a competitive race. Look for people who can assist with canvassing, social media, event planning, and compliance and reporting.
Budget Wisely
Council campaigns are typically affordable, but you'll still need funds for filing fees (often under a few hundred dollars for smaller towns), a simple website, yard signs and flyers, canvassing materials, digital ads or mailers, and events or meet-and-greets.
For example, in Northampton, Massachusetts' 2025 city council race, the two at-large winners raised $3,628 and $1,260, respectively. Meg Robbins, who raised $3,628, reported her largest expense as going toward yard signs.
In Ocean City, New Jersey, the winning city council candidates in the 2024 election spent amounts ranging from $0 to $27,703. Candidate Keith Hartzell, for instance, spent $13,776.
As you get ready to fundraise, keep in mind that how you raise money can be more important than how much money you raise. Focus on grassroots fundraising tactics and small-dollar donations, rather than taking money from PACs or corporations.
“What we did was very authentic. We showed up to the neighborhood groups where it didn't cost us anything to show up. I believed if I had had more money to do the things, I wouldn't have been as connected to the community as I was.”
LEARN MORE: Raise money like a pro with our guide to political fundraising.
Step #3: File for Ballot Access and Officially Run
Filing paperwork can feel intimidating, but it's manageable with the proper preparation and enough time. Make sure you know your district's rules fully, because if you miss anything, you risk being disqualified.
You'll likely need to file:
- Declaration of Candidacy: This form says you're officially running. Some places require it to be notarized.
- Financial Disclosure: You may need to disclose sources of income or any 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 background checks.
- Petition Signatures: Many places require you to gather a specific number of valid signatures from registered voters in your district, ranging from a couple dozen to several hundred.
Gathering signatures can be difficult, but it's a great way to start meeting voters and building early momentum.
Step #4: Run a Grassroots, Community-First Campaign
Once you're officially on the ballot, it's time to connect authentically, consistently, and everywhere your community already is.
Show Up and Be Visible
Some of the most effective outreach happens in small, personal interactions: door-to-door canvassing, neighborhood association meetings, community events and festivals, showing up at council meetings, and hosting small campaign events and listening sessions.
Tom Lambert, who won his city council race in Dunwoody, Georgia in 2025, made himself visible and accessible in simple ways:
“I did a lot of meet-and-greets, and I set up what I called 'office hours.' People came in and talked with me.”
In Acworth, Georgia, alderwoman Kimberly Haase took a community-based approach:
“I didn't use what you traditionally use, as far as politicians, to endorse you. I used the local business owners to endorse me, or just the local people that are doing good in the neighborhood with 501(c)3 organizations.”
In smaller communities, that kind of face-to-face outreach can matter even more.
Linda O'Boyle, elected to the town council in Elm, North Carolina in 2025, put it simply:
“I really needed to get out and meet people. It's a small town. I did use social media with Facebook. That attracted and got to a certain percentage, but actually more people that were out of the voting area than in the voting area. It really made a difference to do the face-to-face.”
Use Digital Tools to Reach More Voters
Effective channels include:
- Posts on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Nextdoor, including short videos and community updates
- Email newsletters, keeping your supporters up-to-date as your campaign unfolds
- Campaign texting, with strategically timed reminders to voters
- A simple campaign website
- Low-cost ads on Meta or Google
Running for Council in a Small Town
Winning a council race in a small town usually comes down to local trust, clear messaging, and direct voter contact.
Start by learning the rules, confirming your eligibility, and filing on time. Then build a simple campaign around the issues people talk about most, such as roads, development, transparency, or public services. In lower-turnout races, face-to-face outreach matters most, so door-knocking, community events, and personal follow-up can have an outsized impact.
O'Boyle said she spoke at town council meetings as one way to increase her campaign's visibility:
“I spoke up at council a lot. I attended the town council meetings, I asked questions, sometimes the same question month after month. That was an important aspect. That I did that got a lot of notification and comments in the paper for the things I would ask. That helped. That was absolutely critical, going to the monthly town council meetings.”
Be the Change Your Community Deserves
Running for local council is a commitment to your neighbors, to your community's future, and to showing up even when the work gets difficult.
As city council member Debrah North of DeSoto, Texas, put it:
“Make sure you're running for the right reason. When you identify the reason why you're running, that's going to be your anchor.”
For independent and nonpartisan candidates, that purpose-driven approach is especially important. Lambert shared that reality clearly:
“Running as an independent, you already have a disadvantage because of the resources the major parties provide. GoodParty.org helps to level the playing field.”
You don't have to navigate this alone. GoodParty.org empowers independent and nonpartisan candidates with the tools, voter outreach support, and strategic guidance to run competitive campaigns.
Ready to take the next step? Take a quick, virtual tour and see how GoodParty.org can help power your run for city council.
Frequently Asked Questions
Photo by Meg von Haartman
