A political campaign is an organized effort to elect candidates to public office or pass ballot initiatives like constitutional amendments or legislative referenda. The goal of any campaign is to secure a majority (or at least a plurality) of votes to win an election. Successful campaigns require a large team of volunteers and staffers who work to identify, persuade, organize, and mobilize voters. Staffers are also responsible for raising funds, managing the organization of volunteers, and communicating with voters through multiple channels.
The first step in running a political campaign is developing a message that defines the candidate’s values and goals. Then the campaign develops talking points that are shared with voters during debates, interviews, and speeches. These talking points help voters understand the candidate’s stance on policy issues. Then the campaign creates a website, social media accounts, literature and signs that communicate these key messages to voters.
Campaigns must be mindful of the legal requirements and reporting obligations of each state and local jurisdiction. They must know what information they are required to collect from donors, when reports must be filed and how to properly record and report contributions and expenditures.
Campaigns can be challenging and demanding, but they offer prospective staffers—particularly college students to mid-level professionals—an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in promoting ideas and influencing public policy while quickly building a professional resume. However, it is important for candidates to consider the demands of the job when choosing which campaigns to seek employment with.
