Step 1:

• Understand what you are getting yourself into.  To start with, read the City Charter of Cedar Rapids.  It’s at http://www.cedarrapids.org/overview/documents/1226_CedarRapidsHomeRuleCharter.pdf . 
• Read the SOS Candidate Guide at http://www.sos.state.ia.us/pdfs/elections/electioninfo/CandGdeCh45.pdf
• Be aware of Dates and deadlines and get current information. For example, use a 2009 City Election Guide.

Election	Election Date	Candidate Filing Period	Voter Registration Deadline
School Board	September 8	July 6-30	Friday, August 28
Regular City	3-Nov	August 24-September 17	Friday, October 23

• Buy a book on campaigning.

Step 2:

• Create a budget for the campaign.  If you’re raising more than $750 or spending more than $750, you are required to create a campaign organization and file reports.  
• Review the info at these links to ensure you are complying:  
• http://www.state.ia.us/government/iecdb/
• http://www.linncounty.org/files/download.asp?type=Adobe&mode=view&I=4912
• http://www.linncounty.org/files/download.asp?type=Adobe&mode=view&I=1251

Step 3:

• Start gathering signatures after you fill out the header of each petition you will be using.  Use the petition at http://www.sos.state.ia.us/pdfs/elections/electioninfo/CityNomPet.pdf to gather signatures. 
• Gather the signatures you are required to gather plus another 5%-10% to overcome any challenges.
• Idea: Get as many signatures as possible to avoid any possibility of not having enough.  In addition, petitioning is a great way to introduce yourself to the voters.
• Hint: The signatures must be people of the District you are running for. For example, if you are running in District 3 then the voters’ signatures must be ones who reside in District 3.
• Requirements:

Cedar Rapids 2009 Election: Signatures Needed
Position	Percentage Needed	Votes Casted	Voting Year	Number of Signatures
Mayor	2%	24969	2005	499
District 1	2%	4798	2005	95
District 3	2%	4535	2005	90
District 5	2%	4139	2005	82
District at Large	2%	9425	2007	189

· Cedar Rapids Council District 2 and Council District 4 plus 1 at large will be on the 2011 Ballot.

Step 4:

· Once you’ve determined your budget, you should have decided which voters you are going to contact.  Voter lists can be purchased by filling out a form and paying for the data in advance. 

· Please review at: http://www.linncounty.org/content.asp?Page_Id=855&Dept_Id=6

Step 5:

• Review the Candidate Filing Period in the table below or at http://www.linncounty.org/content.asp?Page_Id=843&Dept_Id=6
• Candidates must file their papers with the City Clerk – NOT the Auditor’s Office. Papers cannot be turned in until 8am on August 24^th, but no later than 5pm on September 17^th.  
• City Clerk Address

Ann Ollinger

Cedar Rapids City Clerk

3851 River Ridge Dr. NE

Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

• The SOS calendar dates are correct at http://www.sos.state.ia.us/pdfs/elections/Cal3yr.pdf

Election	Election Date	Candidate Filing Period	Voter Registration Deadline
School Board	September 8	July 6-30	Friday, August 28
Regular City	3-Nov	August 24-September 17	Friday, October 23

Step 6:

• When you turn in the petitions, you must include an Affidavit of Candidacy at the same time.  It’s at http://www.sos.state.ia.us/pdfs/elections/electioninfo/CityAff.pdf

Step 7:

• Have some fun while you’re doing all of this.  Don’t forget why you decided to do it in the first place. 

Contact the Elections Office at 892-5300 or elections@linncounty.org if you have further questions.

This Document in NO way replaces the Secretary of State’s City Candidate Guide.