Quick-Start Guide | Pinelands Republicans

Decide you are serious and confirm you are eligible (resident, registered voter, etc.).
Contact your municipal clerk immediately for nomination petition requirements, deadlines, and the local election calendar.
Call the Burlington GOP Executive Director (or your county party equivalent) for treasurer recommendations who will handle NJELEC filings.
Appoint a treasurer, open a dedicated campaign bank account, and file Form D-1 with NJELEC within 10 days of your first contribution or expenditure.
Collect and file your nomination petition with the municipal clerk by the legal deadline (confirm the exact date with your clerk).
Develop a simple, positive message focused on local issues (taxes, safety, services, quality of life).
Build a small core team (treasurer, a few door-knockers, someone for social media).
Raise money and spend it only through the campaign account, staying within contribution limits and reporting thresholds.
Knock doors, attend community events, use compliant signs and literature, and drive voter turnout.
File all required NJELEC reports on time and thank your supporters after Election Day.

Sample November timeline

Always confirm exact dates with your municipal clerk and NJELEC reporting dates. Example for a November 3 general election:

Spring–early summer: Decide, research, assemble a core team, open the campaign account.
Summer / early fall: File nomination petition by the legal deadline (often ~75 days before Election Day for many nonpartisan races).
Within 10 days of first money in or out: File Form D-1.
29-day pre-election report: roughly late September / early October.
11-day pre-election report: roughly mid-to-late October.
Final weeks: doors, literature, GOTV; watch 72-hour and 24-hour notice windows.
20-day post-election report: roughly three weeks after Election Day.