How to Run for Local Township Office in 2026: Step-by-Step Guide

Local township offices may not make national news, but they shape daily life in thousands of communities. From road maintenance to property assessments, township officials help keep local government running smoothly. If you’re ready to serve your neighbors and bring fresh leadership to your community, running for township office is a direct and accessible way to make an impact.

Whether you're considering your first campaign or looking to take the next step in serving your community, this guide breaks down how township government works and how to run a strong, people-centered campaign in 2026.

What Is a Township and How Do They Work?

Township may mean different things depending on where you live, but in most places, townships or towns serve as local government units responsible for essential, close-to-home services.

Townships commonly manage many of the same responsibilities as a city or municipality, including:

• Road and bridge maintenance

• Property assessments and tax collection

• Parks, cemeteries, and public spaces

• General assistance for low-income residents

• Zoning and land-use planning

• Trash collection and other community services

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 16,000 organized town or township governments operate in about 20 states, especially throughout the Midwest and New England.

Examples include:

• Civil townships, like in the Midwest, that have elected supervisors, clerks, trustees, and treasurers

• Towns, like in New England, that function like full-service local governments

• Unorganized townships with limited structure, usually overseen by counties

• Coextensive or absorbed townships where cities have taken over most responsibilities

Your duties as an elected township official and how your township operates will ultimately depend on your state and local laws.

LEARN MORE: Explore how state and local governments divide responsibilities.

How to Run for Local Township Office in 2026 in 4 Steps

You don’t need political experience or party backing to run a strong township campaign. What you do need is a clear understanding of how your township works, a focused message, and consistent engagement with your neighbors.

Step #1: Research Your Township Government & Choose Your Office

Before anything else, make sure you understand how your township is structured. Start by visiting your township’s website, attending a board meeting, or contacting the clerk’s office to learn what offices are elected, filing requirements and deadlines, and any residency or eligibility rules.

What Local Township Offices Can You Run For?

Most township governments are made up of a board of trustees and a handful of independently elected positions. 

The most common elected township roles include:

• Township Supervisor: Often serves as the chief executive officer of the township. The supervisor may also act as the treasurer and manage township programs and budgets. (Learn how to run for township supervisor!)

• Township Clerk: The clerk maintains township records, handles meeting minutes, and may oversee local elections. This is a critical administrative role requiring attention to detail and a strong sense of public transparency.

• Township Treasurer: The treasurer manages township finances, like taxes, revenue collection, and disbursements. In some states, the treasurer's role is combined with that of the supervisor or clerk.

• Township Trustee: Trustees are part of the township board or town council and vote on township budgets, contracts, and policy decisions. They act as a legislative check on the supervisor and help represent the needs of residents.

Depending on the state, you may also be able to run for township offices like assessor (who’s responsible for property valuation), highway commissioner (who handles road maintenance), or constable or justice of the peace.

Choosing the right office for you depends on your skills, interests, and the needs of your community.

April Zobel, township trustee in Blendon Township, Ohio, described what motivated her to run for office:

“I've been active with the community in Blendon Township pretty much since day one,” she said. “The big thing that did it is just seeing what I've been able to do as a volunteer and wanting to take that next step to see what could be accomplished in an elected office and having more resources available.”

LEARN MORE: See every elected office you can run for. 

Eligibility Requirements for Township Candidates

Although exact eligibility requirements vary by state, most township candidates must:

• Be a U.S. citizen

• Be at least 18 years old

• Be a registered voter in the township

• Meet any residency requirements, often 6 to 12 months

Depending on the role, you may need to meet some office-specific qualifications. For instance, some states require assessors to have appraisal certifications.

Additionally, if you’re currently an employee of the township, check your local rules. In many places, township employees can’t run for certain elected roles due to conflicts of interest.

Where Are Township Elections Happening in 2026?

Township election calendars vary widely, but many communities will elect township officials in 2026, including:

• New Hartford Township, Minnesota: The township has a 2026 township election scheduled, with early voting on March 7, 2026, and Township Election Day on March 10, 2026.

• Redford Township, Michigan: Redford Township will hold a township election in 2026 for township supervisor, clerk, treasurer, trustees, and parks commissioners..

• Conklin, New York: The town of Conklin will have an election in November 2026 for township trustee. 

Once you confirm when your township’s elections are held, you can work backward to plan filing, signature gathering, and early outreach.

LEARN MORE: You can use GoodParty.org’s election lookup tool to see upcoming township elections and filing timelines.

Step #2: Understand the Filing Process

Filing paperwork isn’t glamorous, but it’s essential. Start early and double-check requirements. Township filing rules can vary dramatically by state.

You’ll typically need to:

• File a declaration of candidacy

• Collect required petition signatures from township voters

• Submit financial disclosure forms

• Pay a small filing fee

• Meet any residency or eligibility requirements

Missing a step or a deadline can disqualify you, so confirm everything with your township or county election authority.

Step #3: Plan Your Campaign

Once you’ve chosen your office and filed your paperwork, it’s time to build a campaign that resonates with your township’s residents.

Start With a Clear Message

Your campaign message should answer three key questions:

• Why are you running?

• What do you want to improve or protect?

• How will your experience help your township?

Keep it simple and community-focused. Township campaigns are built on trust and local knowledge, not partisanship or complex platforms.

Build a Small, Focused Team

Even in small-town races, an extra set of hands makes a big difference. 

Ask friends, neighbors, or community members to help with:

• Door-knocking

• Social media posts

• Events and small meet-and-greets

• Treasurer or compliance duties

• Keeping track of deadlines and forms

Recruiting volunteers can also help you get more done with less funds. Look for volunteers to help fill the gaps in your own skills. For instance, if you’re not great with social media, finding a volunteer to manage your posts and videos allows you to focus on your strengths and meet more voters. 

LEARN MORE: Check out how GoodParty.org’s free templates can make outreach, texting, press releases, and social media posts easier, too. 

Budget for What Really Matters

Township campaigns are often low-cost when compared to national or even state-wide elections, but you will still have expenses. 

Campaigns typically need funds to cover: 

• Filing fees

• Flyers or mailers

• Yard signs

• A basic campaign website or landing page

You don’t need a large budget. A clear identity and consistent presence can go a long way.

Step #4: Meet Voters Where They Are

Township elections often fly under the radar, and turnout is low. Local elections are plagued by low turnout, with most places only seeing 15% to 27% turnout, while some places dip below 10%. So, if you can connect with even a small portion of your community, you may be able to swing the outcome.

Engage Your Community

Reach voters through:

• Door-to-door canvassing

• Attending township meetings

• Tabling at community events

• Sharing updates via social media or email

• Leaving flyers at libraries, community centers, or local businesses

Zobel’s campaign is a great example of how small-town outreach can be both personal and creative. 

“I did a ton of door-knocking. I knocked on probably about 3,000 doors myself and then had some volunteers helping there at the end as time was getting short,” she said. “The other thing I started doing were these Township learning video series. I think I ended up doing about nine of those and I was surprised at how many views I got. They were up in the 3 to 4,000 range for most every video. And we're talking about a township with about 10,000 residents, 6,800 voters.” 

Low-cost meet-ups also helped Zobel reach more voters. 

“The first one was just at a park, and we had muffins for breakfast,” she said. “I did one that was a live Facebook Q&A, and it actually did fairly well. I did a walking meet-and-greet where I just walked through the neighborhood. I gave everybody my path and said, ‘Come walk with me if you want to do that.’” 

The more ways you can find to meet your voters authentically, the stronger your outreach will be. Consider the things people in your community enjoy doing, and find ways to incorporate that into your campaign plan. 

Get Out the Vote (GOTV)

Don’t assume voters will remember election day. Township elections sometimes take place on unusual dates or get lost amid bigger races. You’ll need to remind supporters early, often, and clearly.

Some ways to get out the vote effectively:

• Send get-out-the-vote (GOTV) text reminders the week and day before the election.

• Post countdowns on social media with polling location info.

• Call or message supporters directly, especially those you’ve met in person.

• Encourage friends, family, and neighbors to bring someone with them to vote.

• Host a “walk to the polls” meetup or carpool for community members with limited transportation. 

• Even a simple message like “Don’t forget — township elections are this Tuesday! Your vote matters here more than anywhere else” can make a big difference.

Try to find opportunities to personalize your messages to voters. Personalized outreach has a big impact on turnout, leading to a 13.2% increase according to a study by Turnout Nation. 

LEARN MORE: Get your voters to the polls with seven proven GOTV strategies.

Why Running for Township Office Matters

Township officials make decisions that touch people’s lives in small but meaningful ways daily. From how well roads are plowed to how transparent the budget is, these positions are essential for accountability, access, and good governance.

By getting involved in local politics and running for a township office, you’re not just stepping into a role. You’re connecting with your community and showing your neighbors that leadership can look like them.

“I'm really glad that I met so many people that I can reconnect with and try and bring everybody together,” said Zobel. “That's the big thing for me, just bringing everybody together, making it one big community that helps each other.” 

Whether you're running for trustee, clerk, treasurer, or another township office, GoodParty.org is here to support your campaign with free tools, voter outreach resources, and guidance designed for Independent and first-time candidates.

Photo by Roger Starnes Sr on Unsplash