Partisan vs Nonpartisan Races: What Changes for You

One of the first things to learn about the seat you want is whether the race is partisan or nonpartisan. In a partisan race, candidates run as members of a political party, and the party label usually appears on the ballot. In a nonpartisan race, no party label appears, and candidates run under their own names alone.

This guide doesn't take sides on which system is better, and it won't tell you which party, if any, to join. It explains how each system works so you can plan your campaign and avoid surprises.

Which local races are which

There is no national rule. Each state decides, and many states let counties, cities or school districts choose. The same office can be partisan in one state and nonpartisan in the next.

Some patterns are common. The National League of Cities reports that more than three-quarters of municipalities hold nonpartisan elections. Counties, school districts and row offices follow their own state rules, which differ widely. A national pattern tells you nothing certain about your seat, so always confirm with your election office.

How you get on the ballot

The biggest practical difference is the path to the general election ballot.

	Partisan race	Nonpartisan race
How you file	Usually as a party candidate, often with the party or the election office during a set filing period	Usually directly with the election office, sometimes with a petition
First contest	Often a party primary, where only the party's candidates compete	Sometimes a nonpartisan primary or none at all, depending on the method
Independents	Often allowed by petition, with its own deadlines and signature rules	Not an issue, since everyone runs without a label
Ballot label	Party name next to your name	Your name only

Primaries add an earlier date to your calendar. In a partisan race, you may need to win a primary months before the general election, and in some places a runoff after that. Map these dates early with the election calendar builder, and see how to file for local office for the paperwork.

What changes in how you campaign

In a partisan race

A party label gives voters a quick signal, and the party may offer volunteers, voter lists, events and advice. In return, you may face a primary against fellow party members, and some voters will decide based on the label alone. You'll need to learn your local party's structure, meetings and rules.

In a nonpartisan race

Without a label, voters lean more on what they know about you. NLC notes that in nonpartisan races voters often rely on other cues, such as name recognition and incumbency. That means your reputation, your community ties, your door knocking and your website carry more weight. You'll need to work harder to introduce yourself, and you'll be building much of your own organization.

In both kinds of races, you still need to tell voters what you'll do. Nonpartisan doesn't mean issue-free. It just means no party name on the ballot.

Why it matters for public employees

If you work for the federal government, or for a state or local agency, whether a race is partisan can decide whether you're allowed to run.

Federal employees. The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) says federal employees generally may not be candidates in partisan elections. The Hatch Act does not bar them from running in nonpartisan elections. A limited exception lets employees in certain designated localities run as independents in local partisan races.
State and local employees. The Hatch Act also covers some state and local employees whose work is connected to programs funded by federal loans or grants. OSC says covered state and local employees may not run in a partisan election if their salary is entirely federally funded.
Nominally nonpartisan races. OSC warns that a race labeled nonpartisan can still count as partisan under the Hatch Act if any candidate is endorsed by a party or runs as representing one.

Your employer and your state may have their own rules on top of federal law. Our guide to public employees and the Hatch Act goes into more detail.

Questions to ask your election office

Is this seat partisan or nonpartisan?
Is there a primary? If so, when, and is there a runoff?
Where and when do I file, and is a petition or fee required?
If partisan, how does an independent or unaffiliated candidate qualify?
Will my name appear with a party label, and can I choose not to list one?

Choosing your path

Many local offices don't give you a choice, and that's fine. Learn the system you're in and plan around it. If you do have a choice, such as running in a party primary or as an independent, weigh the support a party can offer against the extra steps and the primary contest. Talk to people who have run both ways in your area before you decide.

Common questions

How do I find out if my race is partisan?

Ask your county or municipal election office, or look at a sample ballot from the last election for that seat. If candidates had party labels or ran in a party primary, the race was partisan.

Can I run as an independent in a partisan race?

Often, yes, though the route to the ballot is usually different, such as a petition with a set number of signatures. Your state election office can explain the independent or petition process.

Can I accept a party's endorsement in a nonpartisan race?

It depends on state law and local rules. If you are a federal employee or a covered state or local employee, a party endorsement can turn a nonpartisan race into a partisan one under the Hatch Act. Check before you accept.

Does nonpartisan mean I can't share my views?

No. Nonpartisan only means no party label appears on the ballot. You can and should tell voters where you stand on local issues.

Sources

Rules change. Always confirm with your own state and local election offices.