How to Win a Local Election

by Judge Lawrence Grey

More of a "must-do" book than a "how-to" book, How to Win a Local Election guides readers through the campaign process detailing what they need to accomplish along the way in order to be victorious. Here you will find information on planning and organizing a campaign; how to run as an independent candidate; the various roles of people in your compaign; campaign procedures and techniques; and how to use computers, the internet, and emails to both manipulate and disseminate data. The book also offers useful advice on issues from financial reporting to developing a campaign theme and strategy, how to win "one precinct at a time," and even offers tips on such fundamental tasks as the creation and placement of yardsigns and billboards. New to the third edition is a CD containing forms and data that will be the "starter kit" for your as sample campaign plan; and initial planning worksheet; a week-by-week campaign planning form; a nominating petition worksheet; a sample volunteer card; a directory of state elections officers and state codes; and instructions on how to work with databases.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction

259 pages, Paperback

First published January 25, 1994

Reviews

[Vera Elwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 won my local election

[Abby Ang · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feels kind of dated at this point

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

very well written, easy to understand outline of how to organize a political campaign at a local level. i'm probably actually going to buy this book so i can rip shit out, mark it up, make copies of sections for other people and all that good stuff. Judge Grey did a very solid job of writing this to be accessible and highlight what experience has taught him in his quest for public office.

i would highly recommend this for any campaign workers, managers or candidates.

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you've found this review, you know by now there are only 2 or 3 books on how to run a local election, and no 5-star book on the subject.

Having said that, this is a relatively well-written how-to guide in a plain and semi-organized fashion.

Those running selectman, mayoral, or judgeship elections will find it most helpful. The lessons can be applied upwards to state rep and state senator races, but this is mostly town and county election advice.

[Carlos · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thank this book for being exactly what it says it is: a general handbook that helps one figure out how to run and potentially win a local election. If that is what you're looking for, get this.

It is, alas, out of date; the Internet and social media have revolutionized how politics is carried out, even at the lowest levels. So having a single chapter on computers as if this was the early 2000s is not nearly enough anymore. A new edition is needed.

[DiAnne Warfield]

:)

[Jack Walsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read it. Very good basic book for new entries into the world of electoral politics.