BEAUFORT COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Beaufort County, South Carolina
Running For Political Office
For more information about the Open Seats in Beaufort County in the 2020 Elections, please click here.
For maps of the relevant districts in Beaufort County, please click here.
Running For Office - General Information
Title 7 of the South Carolina Code of Laws dictates the rules for running for political office in South Carolina.
RESOURCES
The South Carolina Democratic Party has prepared a manual for people interested in running for political office. It can be accessed here.
ActBlue is a nonprofit technology organization established in June 2004 that enables Democrats, progressive groups, and nonprofits to raise money on the Internet by providing them with online fundraising software. Many candidates use Act Blue for their fundraising efforts. Act Blue also offers free consultation to political candidates on strategizing to maximize digital fundraising.
Arena is a progressive nonprofit organization dedicated to training and supporting candidates and campaign staff through its training programs, online toolbox, and financial support for candidates.
The Black Campaign School hosts national and regional trainings (one in Greenville, SC) for the purpose of pairing top political strategists and trainers with Black candidates running for local, state, and federal political offices.
A company that specializes in website and logo design for Democratic candidates.
Camp Wellstone (named after the late Senator Paul Wellstone) is open to anyone interested in gaining practical skills in progressive political action. They train candidates, campaign workers, and organizers on how to win progressive change. Candidate training includes the nuts and bolts of running—and winning—a progressive campaign! Topics of focus include campaign planning and budgeting; writing and delivering a stump speech; fundraising; and canvassing. They teach campaign workers and staff the skills it takes to manage a successful progressive campaign. Topics of focus include message development and delivery; earned and paid media; targeting; and direct voter contact.
Campaign Partner is a template specifically geared to set up a campaign webpage. Pricing starts at $29.00 per month and the websites allow scheduling events, raising funds, building supporter databases, and integrating social media.
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee
The DLCC offers strategic and financial resources for Democratic candidates running for state political office including the state legislature.
Emily's List runs a program entitled "Run to Win" which is national recruitment and training campaign focused on helping pro-choice Democratic women around the country run for office—and win. Free half-day life trainings are available as well as online training programs.
Emerge South Carolina is the state affiliate of Emerge America which offers an in-depth 7-month training program for women interested in running for political office and providing aspiring female leaders with cutting-edge tools and training to run for elected office and elevate themselves in our political system. Acceptance to the program is through an online application form followed by an in-person interview.
LGBTQ Victory Fund works to change the face and voice of America’s politics and achieve equality for LGBTQ Americans by increasing the number of openly LGBTQ officials at all levels of government by promoting candidates and providing financial assistance to candidates through their Fund.
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is the official government site for all rules and regulations pertaining to Federal elections (President, U.S. Congress). All financial data for both candidates and contributors can also be found on the FEC website.
Facebook has a template page specifically designed for political candidates to set up their own campaign Facebook page including helpful hints on how to maximize exposure through the social media community.
The Network supports aspiring officials in their candidacy through creating mentor connections, hosting classes and training sessions.
National Democratic Training Committee
Free training for all Democratic candidates as well as staff and leaders of local Democratic parties. Live and online training are available.
The Project offers a three-day program entitled "Ready to Lead" for potential political candidates from immigrant communities.
NGVAN is the database resource of the Democratic Party that includes voter lists, tools to enhance phone banking and canvassings, and methods to track and schedule volunteers. For access to NGVAN, contact the SCDP.
Online Candidate
A website product specifically for political candidates that includes all the functionality a candidate requires on a website including raising funds, tracking volunteers, organizing events, etc. The base package starts at $29/month.
Political Resources is a library online of multiple political resources from campaign planning to operations, fundraising, and voter contacts.
She Should Run offers resources for progressive women considering running for political office. The She Should Run Incubator is our online, flagship program designed to help women from all backgrounds and across the political spectrum envision themselves in public leadership. The Incubator’s unique approach focuses our members on why they want to run and the impact they’ll make in elected office. Through our courses on cultivating leadership, building networks, and fostering communication skills, and with a supportive community, women are given the tools they need to begin carving their own unique path to public office.
South Carolina Democratic Party
South Carolina State Ethics Commission
The Campaign offers weekend workshops for veterans considering running for political office.
A do it yourself web design site with a candidate campaign template.