{"id":357671,"date":"2021-06-30T16:29:52","date_gmt":"2021-06-30T21:29:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/civic-engagement\/making-sense-of-local-government\/how-to-run-for-mayor.html"},"modified":"2026-02-17T16:29:00","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T21:29:00","slug":"how-to-run-for-mayor","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/civic-engagement\/making-sense-of-local-government\/how-to-run-for-mayor.html","title":{"rendered":"How To Run for Mayor"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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How To Run for Mayor<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Natalie Moritz<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Joseph Fawbush, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Running for mayor starts with confirming you meet your city\u2019s eligibility rules and understanding the responsibilities of the office. From there, you\u2019ll build a platform, fundraise, and engage with your community so voters understand who you are and what you stand for.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Every locality sets its own rules for elections, term limits, and campaign processes. It\u2019s important to check your local election code<\/span> to ensure you\u2019re following the right steps.<\/p>\n

Participating in a mayoral election can be a great first step into politics. Many local leaders across the country began their political careers in small towns before moving into larger roles with greater impact.<\/p>\n

Running for local office<\/span> requires significant time, organization, and a clear understanding of your community\u2019s needs. An election campaign attorney<\/a> can steer the legal side of running for an elected office<\/span> so you can focus on connecting with voters. Keep reading to learn how to run for mayor of your city or municipality.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What Are the Requirements To Be Mayor?<\/h2>\n

Though requirements vary by state and jurisdiction, in almost all cases, you must be at least 18 years of age<\/span> (though a handful of cities have no limit at all). Some age requirements can be set higher\u2014anywhere from 19 to 30 and even above \u2014 so it\u2019s best to check local election codes<\/span><\/a>\u00a0before you begin to get too far ahead in planning your campaign.<\/p>\n

Many local governments will have additional eligibility requirements, such as being a registered voter<\/span><\/a> in the city or residing in the town you\u2019re running in for a certain number of years prior to the qualifying<\/span> deadline. Clerks at your city hall<\/span> and your state\u2019s Secretary of State<\/span><\/a> website can provide information about local eligibility requirements and election processes.<\/p>\n

Running for Mayor Step-by-Step<\/h2>\n

This is a general path to becoming mayor, though every step of the process requires time and effort:<\/p>\n

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  1. \n

    First, decide if a mayoral office is right for you, based on research of the responsibilities and requirements associated with the job. Ensure you are eligible under local election laws<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    Familiarize yourself with local politics, develop a platform and stance on important issues, and fundraise for your campaign<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  3. \n

    Build your campaign staff, determine how many votes you need to win, and start getting your message out to the public. Determine how you\u2019ll connect with your potential constituents.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  4. \n

    Contact your local county or city clerk<\/span> to gather more information and formally enter the election.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  5. \n

    Participate in any other pre-voting electoral events your local district may hold.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  6. \n

    Continue campaigning and advocating for yourself to voters. It\u2019s hard to be elected if no one knows your platform. Make sure people will actually get out there to vote for you, and that they know how to register and participate in the election. The rules and methods for voting<\/a> vary, so be sure to inform your supporters and prepare them to vote.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Note that steps 2-3 can be done while entering the election. You do not need to have every element of your campaign and platform figured out before you decide to run and enter the election.<\/p>\n

    Additionally, you may need to continue fundraising<\/a> while simultaneously working on all of these steps. Financing a campaign for public office<\/span> can be a long and hard process, but you do not need to do it all at once.<\/p>\n

    How Do I Declare as a Write-In Candidate<\/span>?<\/h3>\n

    To declare as a write\u2011in candidate, you usually must file with your local election office before a set deadline so your votes can legally be counted. It varies, but many jurisdictions require a formal declaration of candidacy<\/span> and a filing fee<\/span>. You also must follow the same campaign finance<\/span> rules that apply to other candidates.<\/p>\n

    Keep in mind that winning an elected office<\/span> as a write-in is rare.<\/p>\n

    Mayoral Job Duties and Responsibilities<\/h2>\n

    Beyond prior residence and voter registration<\/span>, many other duties are required of a mayor after\u00a0they take office. Most local governments stipulate that a mayor must reside in their town of governance for the duration of their time in office.<\/p>\n

    Just because a mayoral office may seem \u201csmaller\u201d than a Senate or House seat does not mean it lacks the obligations and rules of those offices. From the beginning of your mayoral campaign through your tenure in office, you must comply with local, state, and federal election regulations and laws, and fulfill the duties of your position.<\/p>\n

    The responsibilities and duties of a mayor differ depending on the local power structure<\/a>. The four primary systems that determine the role and power of the mayor are as follows:<\/p>\n

    Council-Weak Mayor System<\/h3>\n

    Sometimes a mayor is simply a member of the local city council<\/span><\/a>, with limited powers not granted to other council members. This type of role is known as a council-weak mayor, in which the mayor\u2019s main duty is acting as the head of the city council<\/span>.<\/p>\n

    Council-Strong Mayor System<\/h3>\n

    Other times, the mayor\u2019s office will be set up in a council-strong mayor format. In these cases, the mayor often enjoys greater administrative powers, such as oversight of employee hiring or a veto over local council decisions. A council-strong mayor may also have legislative powers along with the city council<\/span>.<\/p>\n

    Council-Manager and Commission Systems<\/h3>\n

    The council-manager system and commission system are less common, but\u00a0both draw comparisons to the council-weak mayor setup of mostly ceremonial duties. Regardless of the way political duties are allocated in your area, being a mayor comes with significant responsibility.<\/p>\n

    How Many Terms Can a Mayor Hold Office?<\/h2>\n

    Holding office as mayor can be an incredibly rewarding job and a great way to serve your community. But is there a limit to how long a mayor can hold office for?<\/p>\n

    It depends. While cities like New York<\/a> have a two-term mayoral limit, others\u2014like Chicago or Baltimore\u2014have no term limits for mayors. Because municipal election rules are largely left to local discretion, term limits are also often left to local governments.<\/p>\n

    Checking your local election code<\/span> can help clarify your town’s term of office<\/span> limits. Remember that mayoral and city council<\/span> term limits may differ.<\/p>\n

    How Much Does It Cost To Run for Mayor?<\/h2>\n

    Elections at all levels, from federal to local, have\u00a0gotten vastly more expensive. But if you\u2019re not running for office in a major city like New York or Los Angeles, the costs associated with campaigning for office are likely much more affordable.<\/p>\n

    Running for mayor in a large city often means that a candidate must raise millions of dollars in campaign funds. While it is hard to find an exact figure for smaller cities\u2014particularly because fundraising doesn\u2019t always line up with the number of votes garnered\u2014the average cost of running for municipal office<\/a> is usually proportional to the community\u2019s size, average income, and other local factors.<\/p>\n

    Most cities require a nominal candidate <\/span>filing<\/span> fee<\/span>. Some other expenses to factor in include:<\/p>\n