If you’re considering a run for local office in Alabama, the Candidate Filing Guide (see link below) lays out a clear roadmap to get started. First, you’ll need to meet the basic eligibility criteria—typically being a registered voter in the district and meeting residency and age requirements. Once qualified, the process officially begins after your municipality issues its election notice, usually in early June. At that point, you must file a Statement of Candidacy with your municipal clerk or mayor’s office by the established deadline—commonly the fourth Tuesday in June. This marks the official beginning of your campaign.
From there, it’s all systems go: you can immediately start raising contributions and spending funds lawfully, but you’ll also need to register your campaign and committee in accordance with the Fair Campaign Practices Act. Every monetary inflow or expense—be it donations, transfers, loans, or paid mailers—must be meticulously recorded, with regular financial reports due both before and after election day, and annually thereafter until you formally close out with a termination report.
If you decide to step aside from your candidacy, the guide explains how to withdraw: you must submit written notice before election day, and the election authority will ensure that your name is removed—either struck from paper ballots or electronically deactivated. After votes are cast, municipal canvassing boards take over, officially counting and certifying results. If only one person filed for a seat, that candidate is often automatically declared elected, without appearing on a ballot.
The guide also emphasizes your responsibility to uphold fairness and transparency. That means following campaign conduct rules, avoiding prohibited behavior, and keeping accurate financial records to avoid penalties or legal complications. In sum, the guide isn’t just a checklist—it’s a narrative of steps and obligations from the moment you decide to run until your campaign concludes.
For local candidates in Alabama, this guide serves as both mentor and manual—presenting a step-by-step account of filing, fundraising, reporting, withdrawals, and the enforcement of ethical standards. By following it closely, you’ll be well-equipped to run a campaign that’s legally compliant, financially transparent, and professionally managed.
Candidate Filing Guide: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/voter-pdfs/cfg-14th-edition%20(1).pdf
Election Calendar: https://almonline.org/Assets/Files/2025-Elections/2025-Elections-Calendar-CC-Centerfold_FINAL_WEB.pdf