How to Run for County Commissioner in 2026

Running for county commissioner means filing to appear on the ballot, building a small local campaign, and connecting directly with voters in your county or district. If you’re thinking about running, chances are you already care deeply about your community. You want safer roads, smarter budgets, better services, and leaders who actually listen.

County commissioners, sometimes called county supervisors or council members, are the local officials responsible for many of the decisions that shape your daily life, from land use and public health to infrastructure and taxes. 

Across the United States, more than 3,000 counties are governed this way, and most of these offices are nonpartisan. That means when you run for county commissioner, your name typically appears on the ballot without a party label. Voters aren’t choosing between political parties. Instead, they’re choosing you, your values, and your vision for the county.

This guide walks through everything you need to know about how to run for county commissioner in 2026, from understanding the role to filing paperwork, building a campaign, and connecting with voters.

What Is a County Commissioner?

A county commissioner is an elected official who helps lead county government. Depending on where you live, the role may be called a commissioner, supervisor, freeholder, or council member, but the responsibilities are largely the same.

County commissioners make decisions about everything from budgets and spending priorities to public health and safety, as well as infrastructure and transportation needs. 

Most counties are governed by a board of three to nine commissioners, often elected from individual districts. Smaller or rural counties may have fewer members, or even a single commissioner.

Some states use different structures or names. For example:

• Texas counties are governed by a Commissioners’ Court, made up of four commissioners and a county judge.

• Kentucky counties are run by a Fiscal Court.

• Louisiana parishes use a police jury system.

While the structure varies, county governments typically oversee departments like law enforcement, courts, public works, waste management, tax assessment, parks and recreation, and local health services.

What Do County Commissioners Do?

While responsibilities vary by county, commissioners generally:

• Approve and manage the county budget

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

• Set local tax rates and spending priorities

• Vote on zoning, permits, and development projects

• Represent residents’ needs and concerns

Day-to-day operations are usually handled by county administrators and department heads, but commissioners set the direction and hold leadership accountable.

If you’ve been feeling like your county needs better direction, you don’t have to wait for someone else to fix it. By running for a local office like county commissioner, you can make a real impact in your community.

How to Run for County Commissioner: 4 Steps

Running for office can feel overwhelming, but at the county level, it’s often more accessible than people expect. 

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

Step #1: Understand the Office and Rules

Before launching your campaign, learn how the process works in your county. Rules vary widely by state and locality, so make sure you understand eligibility, filing requirements, and deadlines.

Who Can Run for County Commissioner?

While requirements vary, most candidates must:

• Be a U.S. citizen

• Be at least 18 years old

• Be a registered voter in the county and district where the office is located

• Meet local residency requirements, which are often around 6 to 12 months

• Have no disqualifying criminal convictions

Some counties also require a filing fee or nominating signatures. 

Filing and Office Details

Deadlines depend on your location, but typically:

• Spring Elections: File between December and January of the prior year

• Fall Elections: File between May and August of the election year

Typically, county commissions have staggered elections, so not every seat is up for election at the same time. 

County commissioner salaries and term lengths vary by location. Most commissioners serve four-year terms, and compensation can range from part-time stipends to full-time salaries with benefits. According to Glassdoor, the average annual compensation ranges from roughly $149,000 to $277,000, but local pay can be much lower or higher.

LEARN MORE: GoodParty.org’s free election look-up tool can help you find deadlines, district details, and upcoming races.

Step #2: Build Your County Commissioner Campaign Plan

A winning campaign starts with a clear plan and a grounded message.

Make Your Message Personal

Talk to your neighbors. Ask them what’s working and what isn’t. Build your campaign message around real community needs, not partisan talking points.

Jason Capelle, who recently won his race for county supervisor in Orange County, Virginia, emphasized the importance of staying focused on people, not politics:

“I maintained this nonpartisan, non-confrontational, stick-to-the-issues sort of approach.”

County races are often nonpartisan for a reason. Voters want practical solutions.

Build a Small, Strong Team

You don’t need hundreds of volunteers. A small group of committed supporters can help with:

• Door-knocking and outreach

• Social media

• Event planning

• Fundraising

Some digital campaign management software, like GoodParty.org, can help you do more with less, giving you access to voter data, templates, and peer-to-peer texting. 

Set a Realistic Budget

County races are usually affordable, but you’ll still need a plan. 

As you plan your county commissioner race, remember to:

• Set realistic fundraising and budget goals

• Open a campaign bank account

• Host simple fundraisers that allow you to connect with your voters naturally, like house parties, community dinners, or virtual events

• Ask for small-dollar donations

Campaign finances can be tricky. Carefully track and report every expense to avoid putting your campaign in a difficult situation. 

Step #3: Put In Your Paperwork

Paperwork isn’t exciting, but it’s critical. Missing a form or deadline can disqualify you.

Most county commissioner candidates must file:

• A declaration of candidacy or nomination form

• Financial disclosure statements

• Campaign finance registration

• Nominating petitions

If you need to gather and submit signatures, take it as an opportunity to start meeting people in your district and understanding your community’s wants and needs. Additionally, triple-check every form to ensure you meet all formatting, notarization, and deadline requirements.

Step #4: Run Your County Campaign

Once you’ve filed, it’s time to connect with voters.

Build a Recognizable Campaign Identity

Keep your county commissioner campaign simple with:

• A consistent color scheme

• A simple logo or name design

• Clear messaging about your priorities

Use that basic branding across your yard signs, flyers, mailers, and online platforms.

Connect Face-to-Face

Connecting with voters online is great for expanding your reach, but it’s personal interactions that win local races.

“Candidates that show up at your door or show up at the coffee shop are going to have the advantage,” said James Gartner, who recently won his county commissioner race in Emmons County, North Dakota. “Just showing your face makes a huge difference.”

Jason Capelle echoed that sentiment and said the most impactful form of outreach in his winning campaign was “the face-to-face”: 

“I attended every event I could go to, and I had a message; I knew what I wanted to say. If I could get in front of someone, I was going to likely win them over,” Capelle said.

Effective personal outreach tactics include:

• Door-to-door canvassing

• Going to small community events

• Attending local town hall meetings and festivals

• Posting consistently on social media

Volunteers make scaling outreach even easier, especially when it comes to canvassing and get-out-the-vote (GOTV) efforts. Having a simple sign-up form on your campaign website is a great way to encourage your supporters to get involved. 

Fundraise with Intention

Make donating easy with:

• A clear donation link on your website

• Easy-to-see QR codes on mailers and flyers

• Texts and emails that include simple donation links

• Low-cost, community-focused events

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

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

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 often starts 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 nonpartisan 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.

Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash