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Prepared and distributed free of charge as a public service by The Committee of SeventyPhiladelphia’s Election Watchdog and Good Government Advocate since 1904.
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 How to Run for Political Office:
A Campaign Manual for Pennsylvania Candidates
February 2008
The Committee of Seventy Eight Penn Center, Suite 1002 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 215-557-3600 (phone); 215-557-3608 (fax)www.seventy.org 
 
 
Prepared and distributed free of charge as a public service by The Committee of SeventyPhiladelphia’s Election Watchdog and Good Government Advocate since 1904.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreword 
......................................................................................................................................................5
Chapter 1
: Using this Manual and Other Sources..................................................................................5General Information.............................................................................................................................6
Chapter 2 
: Choosing the Office: Job Descriptions and Qualifications................................................6Introduction...........................................................................................................................................6(1) Polling Place Officials in Philadelphia..........................................................................................6Judge of Elections...................................................................................................................6Inspectors of Elections...........................................................................................................6(2) City Offices in Philadelphia............................................................................................................7
City Administrative Offices....................................................................................................7 
City Commissioner.....................................................................................................7Register of Wills.........................................................................................................8Clerk of Quarter Sessions.........................................................................................8Sheriff..........................................................................................................................8
Public Watchdogs...................................................................................................................9 
City Controller.............................................................................................................9District Attorney.........................................................................................................9
Legislative and Executive Offices......................................................................................10 
City Council Member10Mayor........................................................................................................................10
 
(3) State Offices in Pennsylvania.....................................................................................................11
The Pennsylvania General Assembly.................................................................................11
State Representatives.............................................................................................11State Senators.........................................................................................................11
State Fiscal Offices..............................................................................................................12 
State Treasurer........................................................................................................12Auditor General.......................................................................................................12
State Law Enforcement Office............................................................................................13 
Attorney General.....................................................................................................13
State Executive Offices........................................................................................................12 
Governor...................................................................................................................13Lieutenant Governor...............................................................................................13(4) Political Party Offices: City, State and National........................................................................14City Divisional Committee Members..................................................................................14City Ward Leaders................................................................................................................14
 
 
Prepared and distributed free of charge as a public service by The Committee of SeventyPhiladelphia’s Election Watchdog and Good Government Advocate since 1904.
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State Committee Members..................................................................................................14Delegates to the National Party Conventions...................................................................15A Note about Government Employees and Political Activity.......................................................15
Chapter 3 
: Deciding How to Run—Options Available to Candidates................................................16Introduction........................................................................................................................................16Public Office: The Triple Option......................................................................................................17Party Office: The Double Option......................................................................................................18A Final Note about Campaign Options............................................................................................19
Chapter 4 
: Getting on the Ballot—Nomination Petitions and Papers...............................................19Introduction........................................................................................................................................19Nomination Petitions for Primary Election Ballot Position...........................................................20Nomination Papers for Independent Candidates...........................................................................20The Political Body..............................................................................................................................22How to Complete Nomination Petitions and Papers: Circulation and AccompanyingDocuments.........................................................................................................................................23How to File Nomination Petitions and Papers................................................................................26Follow-Up to Filing............................................................................................................................26A Final Note........................................................................................................................................28CHAPTER FOUR CHECKLIST..........................................................................................................28
Chapter 5 
: Filing the Statement of Financial Interests.......................................................................29Introduction........................................................................................................................................29Filing Requirements..........................................................................................................................29Logistics of Filing..............................................................................................................................30Filing the Statement..........................................................................................................................30Information that must be Disclosed................................................................................................30Conclusion.........................................................................................................................................31I.R.S. Filing Requirements................................................................................................................31
Chapter 6 
: Organizing and Financing a Political Campaign..............................................................32Introduction........................................................................................................................................32
 
Campaign Finance in Philadelphia..................................................................................................32Organizing the Campaign’s Finances.............................................................................................32Raising Money...................................................................................................................................35Identifying Contributions..................................................................................................................35Prohibited Contributions..................................................................................................................36Accepting Contributions...................................................................................................................37Expenditures......................................................................................................................................38Filing Finance Reports......................................................................................................................39Who Must File....................................................................................................................................39What Form Must be Filed..................................................................................................................39The Campaign Expense Report and $250 Statement....................................................................39Optional Affidavit for Some Local Candidates...............................................................................40When to File an Optional Affidavit...................................................................................................40How to Complete and File Financial Forms....................................................................................40Where to File......................................................................................................................................42Information Required in Campaign Expense Reports...................................................................42
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