Run Green

Will you run for office?

When Greens run for local office in California, they can win.  In the November 2011 elections, 8 of our 12 candidates for local office won their campaigns.  We currently have 34 elected Greens in California.

For more information about running for office as a Green, please contact Jesse Townley, Co-coordinator, Campaigns & Candidates Working Group at jt02@mindspring.com.

Step #1: Make sure you meet the deadline for registering Green and filing for office

To run for partisan office as a Green in the June 2012 primary election, you must be registered either Green by February 13, 2012.

The filing deadline to file all needed documents is March 9, 2012.

Step #2: Assess your skills and experience

What office best suits you, your skills, experience and interests? 

Step #3: Talk to your friends, colleagues and local Green Party leaders

To run a successful campaign, you must have the support of your friends and family.  Get input and seek support from your local Green Party leaders.  Seek advice from other Greens in your area who have run for office.

Step #4: Select your district

There will be 80 State Assembly, 20 State Senate, 53 congressional and 1 US Senate seat up for election in 2012. The boundaries for these districts have been drawn by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission. You can find your district here by putting in your address.

There are local positions open in every California county.  These seats are non-partisan.  

Our greatest electoral successes have been at the local level.  More than 220 California Greens have been elected to local office over the past 20 years.

Step #5: Identify the deadlines, requirements and fees required to run for state and federal office

• Secretary of State Candidate Resources
• Videos: Fair Political Practices Commission Candidate & Treasurer Workshop - Parts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
• Campaign Guide for Congressional Candidates  and Committees
• United States Senator 2010 (pdf ~55KB)
• United States Representative in Congress (53 Districts) 2010 (pdf ~55KB)
• State Senator (20 Districts, Even-Numbered) and Member of the State Assembly (80 Districts) 2010 (pdf ~111KB)