The document provides guidance for Libertarian candidates running for local elected office in Ohio. It advises candidates to carefully consider which office to run for by evaluating time commitments, residency requirements, and potential conflicts of interest from their career or business dealings. It also stresses the importance of building a plausible candidacy through community involvement prior to running. Candidates are instructed to evaluate the political landscape and competition before deciding to run. Finally, it outlines resources on the Ohio Secretary of State's website to properly file as a candidate.

1. Local/Municipal/State
Date: 04.03.09
Elected Offices ~
Authored By:
William McDowall
Libertarian Candidate
Chair, Candidates and
Campaign Committee Guide and Filing
Procedures

2. Forward Page 2
Forward affiliation played a large role in his vote
tally.
What are the Benefits of Running as a
Libertarian and Why is the Endorsement of Candidates and Campaign Committee
the Libertarian Party of Ohio Important?
Endorsed candidates have at their disposal
In years that the Libertarian Party has ballot the efforts of the Candidates and Campaign
access, anyone declaring themselves Committee to assist them in the paperwork
‘Libertarian’ can run for office. Running as a and filings needed to make valid a candidacy
Libertarian does not necessarily mean an before filing deadlines. This committee can
automatic Party endorsement. The steps to acquire voter lists and arrange them in a
Party endorsement are simple to follow, but sensible form to ease the pressure of
nonetheless important. In short, the signature gathering. Endorsed candidates can
Candidates and Campaign Committee issues also work through the Candidates and
a recommendation to the Executive Campaign Committee to get specific answers
Committee who, in turn, vote on candidate to questions directed to the Ohio Secretary of
endorsement. Especially in years of ballot State. While some of this research can be
access, it is fair to wonder why this done by the candidate without the Party, it is
endorsement procedure is important to a important that duties unrelated to ‘getting
candidacy. votes’ be farmed out to the Party, volunteers,
and to campaign officers whenever possible.
A Built In Voting Block – Even candidates
Party endorsement affords this extra layer of
who do not have the resources to run large
support.
campaigns can count on a certain amount of
votes from persons who identify with the Strategic Targeting Committee
Libertarian Party. In 2008, Congressional
After an endorsed candidate has filed with
Candidate Mark Noble received over 14,400
the Board of Elections and the filing
votes in his Congressional District although
deadlines for competing candidates have
he was shut out from televised debates and
passed, the endorsed candidate may work
radio broadcasts profiling the candidates.
with the Strategic Targeting Committee to
Mark Noble received more votes than the
refine their campaign. This committee will
Independent candidate Don Eckhart who was
assist in doing opposition research, evaluate
permitted to participate in all the above
the minutes of council meetings, and provide
mentioned media events. Mark Noble did not
an environment to strengthen the campaign.
personally meet 14,400 people to ask them
This committee can even provide mock-
for their votes. His identifiable party
debates (complete with cameras, podiums,

3. Page 3 Forward
etc) and mock-newspaper interviews to each election to spend on efforts to elect
prepare candidates for media attention. endorsed Libertarians. This budget is based
Candidates may also be advised on solely on incoming contributions, and as
presentation and appearance issues. Libertarians, we do not spend money we do
Campaign managers will find the efforts of not already have. The amount that the
this committee infinitely valuable. L.P.O. can contribute to campaigns varies
widely. However, the Candidate and
Field Development and Volunteer Efforts
Campaign Committee will contribute to
During the course of a campaign, a endorsed candidates and will seek to empty
candidate will have a need for volunteers. its accounts in this effort each election
In many regions of Ohio, Field season.
Development teams exist that can help in
Lastly, an endorsed candidate may
volunteer recruitment. The L.P.O. has a
coordinate through the L.P.O. Treasurer
Field Liaison in each quadrant of Ohio as
limited access to donor lists. Donors to the
well as a College outreach program and
L.P.O. who live within a candidate’s
even a Women’s Caucus that a candidate
municipality may well be pleased to
may find useful in their campaigning
contribute to a local candidate. Donor lists
efforts.
also include other persons who may be able
Website Development to provide volunteer resources (printing
capability, rental tents for parties, food
While this is a new directive currently
products for fundraisers….) that help
under development, the L.P.O. hopes to
candidacies in ways not measured in dollars
provide each candidate with a basic website
and cents.
and biography page upon endorsement.
Many candidates may have taken on web If a Libertarian seeking office does not
development in-house with elaborate pages seek the Party’s nomination, much, if not
that include contribution opportunities and all, of these resources may be withheld.
interactive features. However, in smaller Even endorsed Independents might not be
races, a basic page may be all that is granted complete and total access to the
required to maintain a ‘web presence’. resources listed above. To ensure access to
the benefits of Party endorsement, join the
Financial Assistance
Libertarian Party ~ take ‘The Pledge’
A candidate for office should have a online, and we’ll team up on the campaign
framework in place for their own trail!
fundraising. The L.P.O. has a certain budget

4. Table of Contents Page 4
Table of Contents
5 - Introduction
6 - The Decision Process
8 - Self Examination
10 - Evaluating the Political Landscape
11 - The Ohio Secretary of State Website
12 - The County Board of Elections
13 - Condensed Instructions for Local/Municipal Libertarian Candidacy
15 - Continuing Commitment and Your Future in the Party
16 - Conclusion

5. Page 5 Introduction
Introduction access is a problem that the L.P.O. deals with
yearly. However, whether the L.P.O. has
This document is intended for the use of
ballot access or not has little bearing on the
Libertarians running for public office in a
actions of a well run campaign. Freedom of
local election. The term ‘local’ is described as
speech gives candidates the right to brand
a partisan or non-partisan race for an office
themselves in any way they wish in
that governs at the township, city, or county
campaigning efforts. A candidate’s hand
level. Examples of these offices include:
bills, yard signs, mailings, banners, flags,
- Township Trustee refrigerator magnets…etc. may have the word
‘Libertarian’ printed on them in any manner
- Fiscal Officer
the candidate sees fit. Even in non-partisan
- Village Trustee races, campaign information may be used that
blatantly brands the candidate as a
- Village Administrator
Libertarian. (This tactic may or may not be a
- City Council good idea and candidates should consult with
their campaign managers, as different races
- President of City Council may dictate different strategies)
- Mayor Lastly, a candidate should have an
- County Commissioner understanding of what it takes to win. While
there is genuine and legitimate value to
Libertarian candidates for General Assembly ‘paper’ candidacies, this manual is intended
as well as statewide office (Attorney General, to enhance the efforts of plausible candidates
Treasurer, Governor…etc.) are welcome to that intend to win their races. The advice and
use this handbook, but may find some instruction in this manual is by no means the
sections lacking in detail concerning the only way to successfully run a local
complexities of their campaigns as compared campaign, but attention should be paid to the
to local races. A candidate handbook for timelines described and the processes
those seeking General Assembly and outlined. A passage containing information
statewide office is forthcoming. that is believed to be of high importance to
The L.P.O. (Libertarian Party of Ohio) has most any Libertarian candidate for local
‘ballot access’ though the elections of 2010. office will appear in bold italic font as can
Ballot access is defined as the right to list be seen here.
‘Libertarian’ beneath the name of the
candidate on a voter ballot. Getting ballot

6. The Decision Process Page 6
The Decision Process holders to maintain a ‘day job’. If the office
holder is employed by an engineering firm,
The first step in a candidacy is deciding for
a construction firm, an architect or similar
what office to run. While this may seem
vocation, that office holder may have to
obvious, there is more to it than one might
recuse themselves frequently from contract
imagine. A candidate should visit the
negotiations on improvement projects if
municipality’s website and determine the
their firm is active in bidding for these jobs.
structure of local government as dictated by
Similarly, candidates in the computer
the adopted charter. Some municipalities
industry may experience comparable issues
have a city council form of government. In
if the municipality seeks to improve their
others, a city manager is the senior elected
data systems and holds open bidding for
official. If a candidate has the experience
these contracts. Correspondingly, most of
and political drive to become Mayor, a
Ohio’s public schools do not permit
candidate should be sure that the Mayor is,
teachers to serve on an elected school board.
in fact, the top elected official. For example,
To summarize, a candidate must determine
in Marion, Ohio, the City Council President
if their business dealings will unduly
is the top elected official. In Mason, Ohio,
hinder their career in public office.
City Council elects a Mayor from amongst
the elected board members, but the position The next step is to review the
carries no weight over and above that of a municipality’s ordinance dictating the
rank and file council member. requirements of the position. Some
candidates may wish to run for Mayor. This
Of equal importance, a candidate should
position in smaller communities is
evaluate whether an existing or recent
occasionally won in unopposed elections.
career lies in conflict with the required
However, it must be noted that certain
actions of elected office. Each Libertarian
prestigious positions in local government do
candidate aims to implement the Libertarian
not pay well in comparison to private sector
governing ideals of smaller government,
jobs. Also, candidates should note the days
fiscal responsibility and social tolerance.
that the office holder must be physically
These ideals cannot be pressed if the office
present in office and on which evenings the
holder has to recuse himself or herself from
official must be available for meetings or
key votes stemming from conflicts of
other events. Prospective candidates must
interest. For example, many local level
evaluate which position they wish to run for
public offices are part time positions and
based on their availability to perform the
meet only in the evening allowing the office
duties of the office.

7. Page 7 The Decision Process
Additionally, residency requirements must
be met for elected positions. Obviously, a
candidate must reside within the governing
municipality, but attention must be paid to
ward and precinct designations as these lines
are occasionally redrawn based on census
information and political pressures. Local
boards of elections should not be relied upon
to make these designations known to
candidates. A savvy campaign manager may
well end an opposing candidacy citing errant
filing technicalities.

8. Self Examination Page 8
Self Examination With the possible exception of Mayor, all
local public offices can be won with no
Most every person that contacts the L.P.O.
political experience. The question
with an interest in running in a local
becomes, ‘How plausible are my chances?’
election is qualified to hold office.
Libertarians that decide to become Voters value prior public service.
candidates are concerned citizens that are President Barack Obama was elected in
willing to offer up their record for public 2008 touting his record of civic
scrutiny. One does not need to be an involvement as a community organizer. No
attorney or hold a Master’s Degree in one elected Mr. Obama to the post of
Political Science to run successfully in a community organizer. It can be argued that
local election. In even the smallest of Senator McCain served people he
Ohio’s communities, municipal websites represented better than President Obama,
list detailed biographies of current but it is inarguable that Senator McCain
officeholders. College graduates are in the never had his political fate dictated by his
minority of some City Councils. The ratio ability to organize at the grassroots level.
is even lower at the township level.
All Libertarian candidates are urged to
Regardless of education level or prior prepare themselves for office by building
political experience, all successful the plausibility of their candidacy through
officeholders have one thing in common: actions and associations. Many people are
commitment to community involvement. surprised to learn how many civic positions
That is not to say that a young professional are available simply by visiting a website
Libertarian with an impressive education and signing up for consideration. Some of
could not win a local election with a well these opportunities include:
conceived campaign message, significant
- Joining the local homeowner’s
door-to-door work, and some money, but
association
that person would be vulnerable to a retired
community businessperson who was a - Applying to be an alternate to the
member of the local chamber of commerce, local zoning review committee
serve on the P.T.A., was appointed to the
- Joining the P.T.A.
local zoning appeals board, is active in
their church, and acts as vice-president of - Applying to be an ‘Area Coalition’
their homeowner’s association. board member

9. Page 9 Self Examination
- Volunteering at the Red Cross, United
Way or other charitable organization
- Joining the area Chamber of
Commerce
- Volunteering for a faith-based
position
- Volunteering for the local Youth
Booster Association
- And many more…
While a candidate might be professionally
qualified for a public office, taking these
community involvement steps enhances ones
plausibility factor.

10. Evaluating the Political Environment Page 10
Evaluating the Political Environment
Once a candidate has determined the office
they wish to hold, investigate the availability
of the office for election. If one is running
for city council, all members may be elected
simultaneously or on a staggered election
schedule. It is prudent to investigate the
political ‘lay of the land’.
For instance, if a candidate wishes to serve
as representing City Ward 3 and the current
office holder as been serving for many years
and winning elections by sizable margins,
the candidate may decide to run at-large.
Conversely, a well-entrenched office holder
may well run unopposed. This situation can
set up as an exciting and opportunistic way
to place a very different choice in front of
voters. Candidates are encouraged to stay in
touch with the local Board of Elections to
remain aware of how many other
candidates have filed to run for office and
the political party to which they belong.
Appraising the competition early may well
make the difference in the outcome of a race.
Candidates should evaluate honestly the
likelihood of winning the race before filing
for candidacy and should be prepared to
adjust their plans to take advantage of the
competition.

11. Page 11 Evaluating the Political Environment
The Ohio Secretary of State’s Website Ohio Secretary of State’s website should be
visited and evaluated even before filing at the
Aside from a candidate’s campaign website,
local Board of Elections.
the website of the Ohio Secretary of State
will be the most important tool to a Additionally, candidates are to read the
candidacy. It is important in that the website entire section called “Frequently Asked
lists specific instructions as well as resources Questions”, found here:
for candidates.
http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/Upload/
Before a candidate accepts any campaign candidates/CFGuide/chapters/16FAQs08-
funds or buys a single campaign related item, 06.pdf
a Campaign Treasurer must be named. A
This section covers questions that many
candidate’s Campaign Treasurer must be
persons ask in their effort to comply with
above reproach. Many books that advise
election financing law.
candidates running for office suggest naming
a reputable person from another political Lastly, the downloadable forms that are
party. A candidate should treat this decision necessary in filing with the Ohio Secretary
as the most important personnel of State are found here:
pronouncement they will make before taking
http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/Campaign%
office.
20Finance/CFForms.aspx
Candidates must download the Campaign
As elections pass, different Ohio Secretaries
Finance instructions for candidates from the
of State will revise their websites. If the links
Ohio Secretary of State’s website. As of
listed above are unavailable, contact the
April, 2009, that link is:
Libertarian Party Chair of the Candidates and
http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/Upload/ Campaigns Committee or the Ohio Secretary
candidates/CFGuide/ of State’s office directly to procure forms or
chapters/02Candidates08-06.pdf instructions on filing.
This instructional text covers campaign http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/upload/
financing laws, fund raiser reporting, publications/election/CRG09.pdf
corporate contributions and many other
important documents. Special attention must
be paid to text detailing contribution limits.
Once a candidate has determined that they
will run for office in the next election, the

12. County Board of Elections Page 12
County Board of Elections On the Ohio Secretary of State’s Website,
there are downloadable lists of voter
The candidate petition is a critical form.
records arranged by county. This is a most
This document is available at the county
valuable tool for a Libertarian running for
Boards of Elections. The candidate will
local/municipal office. A candidate should
circulate this petition door-to-door seeking
download the appropriate county file to
signatures from registered voters. This is
their computer.
an excellent opportunity for candidates to
introduce themselves to their communities. Special instructions of note that are fully
detailed in the “Ohio Candidate
How many signatures required for a
Requirement Guide” brochure:
candidate to appear on the ballot varies
based on whether the candidate is permitted - Only an unaffiliated voter or a
to run as a Libertarian or is forced to run as candidate can circulate a candidate
an Independent. At present, the Libertarian petition for a Libertarian.
Party enjoys ballot access and the required
- A candidate may not sign their own
number of signatures is fewer than that of
petition.
Independent candidates. Candidates must be
sure to procure the correct candidate - If a petitioner knowingly allows a
petition form from the county Board of person to sign the petition who is
Elections. ineligible, the entire petition is rejected.
Very close attention must be paid to the - No more than three times (3x) the
instructions describing the process for amount of required signatures will be
completing candidate petitions. Those accepted.
instructions can be found on the Ohio
Please be aware that Boards of Elections are
Secretary of State’s website here:
controlled by Republicans and Democrats.
http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/upload/ Opposing party officials will take every
publications/election/CRG09.pdf opportunity to scrutinize Libertarian
candidate petitions. Be thorough and
Please note the various nuances to
patient with filing procedures. Also,
petitioning law found on the above
coordinate your efforts with the Candidates
mentioned pages. Non-compliance can
and Campaign Committee Chairman to
abruptly end a candidacy.
remain abreast of current laws governing
petitioning.

13. Page 13 County Board of Elections
Condensed Instructions for Local/ 6. Visit the Ohio Secretary of State’s
Municipal Libertarian Candidacy website and download/print the
Campaign Finance instructions for
1. Read the Introduction to this manual
candidates running for office in Ohio.
and understand the terminology
Name a Campaign Treasurer. Read
‘ballot access’
the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’
2. Decide for which office to run. section of the ‘Candidate Finance
Determine if this position lies in Guide’ of this website. Download the
professional conflict with a current appropriate forms for Campaign
career. Finance from this website and follow
filing instructions closely,
3. Read the municipal ordinance
particularly the form for ‘Designation
describing the expectations of the
of Treasurer’. Do not accept monies
targeted political office. Be sure that
in any form, from any source, until
availability, residence, and other
these documents have been reviewed
basic requirements are met.
and filed.
4. Perform a self-examination regarding
7. Procure a Candidate Petition from the
the plausibility of candidacy. All
County Board of Elections. Be sure
candidates will be evaluated for
to take the appropriate form (Partisan
endorsement first by the Candidates
or Independent) based on Libertarian
and Campaign Committee and then
Party ballot access status. Taking the
by the Executive Committee of the
wrong form may result in a candidate
Libertarian Party of Ohio. Civic
having to re-gather signatures to
involvement and community
correct a filing error.
activeness will be an ever increasing
criterion. 8. Download the appropriate county
voter list from the Ohio Secretary of
5. Perform ‘due diligence’ on the public
State’s website. Arrange voters by
position desired. Determine the year
street within the residential
that the office is up for election.
boundaries of the elected office to
Review the election results from
allow for easy signature gathering.
previous races. Coordinate with the
Gather up to three times (3X) the
Candidates and Campaign Committee
amount of signatures required.
for guidance and useful research in
Carefully follow the instructions on
evaluating the political environment.

14. Condensed Instructions Page 14
the petition regarding the procedure
for signature gathering. Fill out each
Declaration of Candidacy Statement
and Circulator Affidavit clearly and
with attention to detail.
9. Return the Candidate Petition to the
County Board of Elections.
10. Join the Libertarian Party.
Membership to the Party will greatly
enhance a candidate’s chance for
Party endorsement. Refusal to join
the Libertarian Party will place
significant constraints upon the
Party’s ability to endorse. Although it
is not impossible for a non-Party
member to secure an endorsement
from the L.P.O., membership in the
Libertarian Party should be a
paramount concern of any candidate
actively seeking endorsement.

15. Continuing Commitment Page 15
Continuing Commitment WWW.LPO.ORG for more information.
For as little as $17.76 per month (the
Spreading Liberty as well as upholding the
average cost of a Music CD or download)
Party platform of ‘Lower Taxes, Less
you will become the shoulders on which
Government, More Freedom’ is the duty of
future officeholders will stand while
all Libertarians. The best way to accomplish
helping yourself in the process.
this is to work for permanent ballot access
and elect Libertarian candidates to office. Your Future in the Party
Libertarians winning elected office is the
When you are elected to office, it is
mechanism that will change Ohio and
assumed that you will uphold Libertarian
America.
ideals during your time of public service.
While we are not currently operating on the After retirement, or in the unfortunate event
same monetary scale as major political you are not successful in an election, your
parties, our efforts demand certain expenses journey within the L.P.O. will be just
be paid. Maintaining a modest state office, beginning.
conferences, candidate contributions and
Candidates with election experience are a
legal fees to combat those who would deny
precious commodity and former candidates
us the right to participate in free and open
will be relied upon to fill leadership roles
elections cost money.
within the Party to further the cause of
As a candidate, it is proper and appropriate freedom. The L.P.O. has a perpetual need
to donate to the State Party to ensure the for field representatives, CDC’s (County
L.P.O. can continue the crusade for these Development Coordinators) and committee
issues that we all hold dear for years to chairs.
come. As a Party, we are blessed with many
It is important to understand that being an
individuals that give of their time tirelessly
endorsed candidate in the Libertarian Party
and are always ‘on-call’ for candidates and
of Ohio is but a step in your journey to
committee members. Dedicated manpower
spread Liberty and lay the groundwork for
is the L.P.O.’s greatest asset. However,
others to do the same.
without reliable income, our efforts suffer at
the ballot box. Party officers take this issue very seriously.
Becoming a Libertarian candidate for
The L.P.O. asks that candidates give to the
office is synonymous with a committed
State Party by making a meager financial
declaration of continuing Party
commitment. Please go to
involvement and participation.

16. Page 16 Condensed Instructions
Conclusion 4. Have you contemplated that you may
well have to stand up to public
As Libertarians, the Candidate and
scrutiny or opposition research from
Campaign Committee does not conduct
other candidates? Are you
background checks over and above what a
comfortable with taking political jabs
candidate mentions during an interview. A
from opponents?
member of the Candidate and Campaign
Committee and/or Field Development will 5. Have you researched the current
make every effort to meet and interview political situation enough to get an
persons wishing to run for office. At this idea of your chances of winning?
time, no written application seeking the
6. Have you been an active attendee at
endorsement of the Party is required;
civic meetings or other events to
however furnishing an L.P.O. officer with a
show your concern for local
written request for Party endorsement along
government?
with a narrative detailing positions,
personal goals and experience is helpful. 7. What civic organizations are you
active in?
Candidates seeking the Party’s endorsement
should prepare themselves for an interview 8. What do you think will be your
by an L.P.O. officer. Many questions will be primary source of campaign funding?
asked so that the L.P.O. officer gets a feeling
9. Aside from an endorsement and
on where a potential candidate stands on
money, what do you want from the
issues. Some questions that might be asked
L.P.O. in terms of support?
are listed below.
10. Are you a Libertarian Party
Remember, candidate interviews are not
member?
interrogations and are frequently informal
meetings allowing everyone to get At this time, no formal application seeking
acquainted to discuss the road ahead. the endorsement of the Party is
required. However, there is a form that has
1. Do you have any experience in local
been made available to County
government? Your Treasurer?
Development Groups and the Field
2. Have you selected a campaign Development team so that they can pass
manager? Their experience? along your interest and basic information to
the Candidate Review Committee.
3. What is your current vocation?

17. Notes Page 17
Notes

18. Page 18 Notes
Notes