Run for Something!
We are looking for passionate and committed people for local government. We recruit and train candidates and provide logistic support to their campaigns. Now is the time to run. Contact us today!
LOCAL, COUNTY, OR STATE (see below) |
What should I run for?
LOCAL
School Director: Makes decisions about important issues for parents, such as:
- In-person vs. online classes during the pandemic
- School safety, gun violence and suicide prevention policies and programs
- Prioritizing budget spending (Another guidance counselor or another security guard? New band uniforms or upgraded playing field?)
- Curriculum, homework and standardized testing policies
- Special Education programs and practices
- Equity policies: Free lunch, full day kindergarten, after school help? ∙ Negotiations with the Teacher’s Union (pay, training, teacher safety) ∙ Which schools your neighborhood attends
Twp. Supervisor/ Member of Council
- Makes decisions on local police hiring, taxing, permits, zoning and building codes, local parks, open spaces and trails, pipelines, roads and bridges, trash and public works, and public safety
Magisterial District Judge
- Hears minor criminal and civil cases such as landlord/tenant disputes and disorderly conduct, minor property damage and traffic violations
- Sets BAIL
- Issues EMERGENCY Protection from Abuse orders
Judge of Elections (JOE)
Sets up all materials, machines, and supplies for your polling place (precinct)
Answers all questions and handles issues on Election day in accordance with Voter Services decisions (Example: You requested a mail in ballot but change your mind and want to vote in person on Election day at your precinct)
Inspector (of Elections)
- Sets up polling places and monitors the Judge of Elections (JOE)
- Ensures JOE delivers results to Voter Services (Note: minority party inspector keeps a copy of signed tally sheets for assurances)
Auditor
- Examines accuracy of financial accounts in the municipality
Tax Collector
- Administers and organizes local tax paperwork
Constable
- Provides security at your polling place (precinct)
COUNTY
Treasurer Accounts for money coming INTO the County:
- Collects real estate taxes
- Balances the County bank statements
- Issues dog, fishing and hunting, not-for-profit, and small games licenses
Controller Accounts for money going OUT OF the County:
- Responsible for an honest accounting of our tax dollars, and monitors fraud, waste and abuse in the County government
- Entrusted with all County public funds: accounts and transactions, contracts, agreements, lease payments, financial statements
Clerk of Courts
- Maintains accurate criminal records that are the basis of fair trials for victims and defendants
- Can initiate juvenile record expungements and eviction prevention actions
Coroner
- Determines cause and manner of death, identities the decedent, and provides notification to the legal next of kin
- Provides cremation request forms, death certificates, reports for attorneys and insurance companies
Judge of Common Pleas
- Presides over “trial court level” cases like you see on TV, where witnesses and evidence are presented, and a verdict and sentence are determined
- Hears major criminal, civil and family law cases (such as DUI, custody, robbery, injury, property damage, assault, murder)
- Issues standing Protection from Abuse orders
STATE
Justice of the Supreme Court Highest Court in Pennsylvania (panel of 7 Justices who serve 10 year terms):
- The main “check and balance” on the PA legislature
- Determine if a law passed by our State legislature is Constitutional
- Recent examples: Ruled that Mail In ballots and Drop Boxes were legal, and that extremely gerrymandered voting districts that disenfranchised minority voters was unconstitutional and needed to be redrawn
Judge of the Superior Court “Court of last resort” for APPEALS (panel of 15 Judges who serve 10 year terms):
- Hears civil, criminal, and family law appeals to reverse a lower court’s ruling (convictions or sentences) Examples: Custody, drug possession, DUI, assault, burglary, murder rulings
Judge of the Commonwealth Court APPEALS Court for government entities (panel of 9 judges who serve 10 year terms):
- Hears appeals from final orders of certain state agencies and certain designated cases from the Courts of Common Pleas involving public sector legal questions and government regulation