Candidate Resource Guide
Build the Bench is comprised of several national and state-based organizations across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Our partners have generously shared the resources they have compiled to ensure candidates have all the tools and information they need in a single place.
Candidate Training Resources
Build the Bench Virginia - Run for Office Tool
Explore a Run For Office (Hosted by NDTC)
National Democratic Training Committee Trainings (open to anyone)
Filing to be a Candidate Resources
Please take the time to thoroughly read the candidate bulletin for the office(s) you are considering running for. While the bulletin may be lengthy, it is a single, state-provided source for all necessary legal requirements to get your name on the ballot. Running for office can sometimes be confusing, and you can receive different pieces of guidance from different sources. This is the best possible resource—hearing directly from the Virginia Department of Elections.
Local Offices (including School Board, Board of Supervisors and other Local Offices)
Vacated Local Offices (Special Elections)
When submitting official paperwork to the Department of Elections or any other entity we strongly encourage IN PERSON delivery and request for receipt. If this is not possible, submit official materials by CERTIFIED MAIL requiring a signature by the recipient before the deadline.
Running for Office Resources
CANtech: Access to an end-to-end campaign strategy and execution platform
Candidate Resources: Virginia Organizations
Organization | Website |
|---|---|
Emerge Virginia | https://va.emergeamerica.org/ |
House Democratic Caucus | https://vahousedems.org/ |
Our Time Now PAC | https://ourtimenowpac.org/ |
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia | http://ppav.org/ |
Rural Ground Game | https://www.ruralgroundgame.org/ |
SEIU Virginia | https://www.seiuva.org/ |
Senate Democratic Caucus | https://vasenatedems.com/ |
Virginia AFL-CIO | https://va-aflcio.org/ |
Virginia Education Association | https://www.veanea.org/ |
Virginia’s List | https://www.virginiaslist.com/ |
We the People for Education | https://wethepeopleforeducation.org/ |
Candidate Resources: National Organizations
Organization | Website |
|---|---|
CASA in Action | https://casainaction.org/virginia/ |
EMILY’s List | https://emilyslist.org/ |
L PAC | https://www.teamlpac.com/ |
Latino Victory | https://latinovictory.org/ |
LGBTQ Victory Fund | https://victoryfund.org/ |
National Democratic Training Committee | https://traindemocrats.org/ |
New American Leaders Action Fund | https://www.nalaf.org/ |
Run for Something | https://runforsomething.net/ |
The States Project | https://statesproject.org/ |
Vote Run Lead Action | https://voterunlead.org/ |
AAPI Victory Fund | https://www.aapivictoryfund.com/ |
Advance Native Political Leadership | https://advancenativepl.org/ |
Arena Academy | https://arena.run/events/academy |