Want to become more politically involved? Interested in learning more about the issues important to you? You can be involved for a few hours a year to going all in. HERE are some suggestions:
Donate directly to candidates’ campaigns:
- Learn about likely competitive races locally and across the country where your money and time has the most impact.
- Give money to candidates and especially our endorsed Democratic candidates
- You can often make more of an impact on local and State races. REMEMBER: local sets the tone for state and national!
- Early donations can make the most impact!
- Consider giving money to General Election candidates as soon as it is clear who they will be.
Donate to committees that support multiple candidates:
- Democratic Party Committees:
- Issue advocacy groups that focus on issues that are important to you such as environmental protection, gun control, reproductive rights, civil rights, combatting racism & antisemitism etc.
Volunteer with Campaigns:
- Candidates who are in important competitive races with progressive stands on issues need your help!
- Consider volunteering for local candidates including those in the region within driving distance to door knock and getting out the vote.
- Join a remote-phone bank or send postcards on behalf of candidates across the country.
- Register new voters!
- If you have the time and experience, some candidates need paid staff for a temporary period
- Pittsburgh organizers created a Facebook Group to organize and help support Democrats you can find many campaign volunteer opportunities with the Order of the Phoenix group.
Other Resources
- GIS data for all Allegheny County voting districts
- Interactive map of all voting districts in the City of Pittsburgh.
- 14th WARD voting district map.
- Serve the public on a local board, authority or commission or by joining a local community group.
There are several important ways to donate your time and skills on election day:
Every election we depend on our dedicated poll workers to ensure a smooth and democratic election process. The Board of Elections is always seeking individuals to serve as poll workers.
Ensure that voting rights are protected by training and volunteering to serve as an Election Protection volunteer.
Volunteer to help the 14th Ward Committee where needed, by delivering campaign materials, working the polls, etc. Please contact Liz Healey, our 14th Ward Chairperson, for more information or the Allegheny County Democratic Committee
Running for Committee
Committee members run for office every 4 years. The next election will be in 2026 on Primary Election Day. Candidates will be elected to the Democratic Party as Ward leaders on that day in May; they do not run again in the General Election in November.
Where’s the 14th Ward? Here’s a map. You can see where committee seats are. There are two seats per voting district in the ward: one man and one woman. (The Allegheny County Democratic Committee is actively working to update their bylaws)
Here is a booklet authored by the Committee of 70 in Philadelphia which gives detailed information about running for Democratic Committee (although you need to ignore the local references to Philadelphia).
More important information for candidates:
- ACDC Committee Handbook has information specific to the Allegheny County Democratic Committee.
- Allegheny-County-Democratic-Committee-By-Laws were adopted in 2009.
Summary of the Process (read the booklet for necessary details)
1. Get on the ballot by completing nomination petitions Feb-March 2026.
Nomination petitions are documents signed by registered voters who live within your District and belong to the Democratic Party. Nomination petitions show that there is enough support for a candidate to require the Election Board to print the candidate’s name for that party’s nomination on the primary ballot in May. You can get nomination petitions from your Ward Chair and you will need a minimum of 10 valid petitions to qualify (so you might want to get 15-20 signatures altogether). Note that there are very strict requirements for nomination petitions; double-check all petitions according to the directions outlined in the booklet, above.
If you live in the 14th Ward, you can request nomination petitions from Liz Healy, 14th Ward Chair via email. Liz is also happy to speak with anyone who is interested in joining the 14th Ward Committee and to offer his assistance in getting started.
2. File nomination petitions with the County Board of Election by spring 2026.
If you miss the deadline to file your nomination petition to get on the ballot, you still have a chance to run as a write-in candidate.
3. After you file – objections, ballot position and campaigning.
Nomination petitions are public documents and can be viewed by anyone. Challengers can take advantage of this opportunity if they think they can knock you off the ballot because of defects in your documents.
Where more than one candidate is seeking the same position, they must draw for ballot positions. This drawing occurs shortly after the filing deadline for nomination petitions.
Once you are on the ballot, it is entirely up to you to decide how much you want to campaign – if at all. Many people enjoy campaigning for the same reason they like serving as a committeeperson: they get a chance to meet their neighbors and become involved in the political process.
4. Election Day
On Election Day you can continue to campaign for yourself, as long as you follow state and local rules.
Run for Office
Thinking about running for office? There are many programs, people and places that can help you get ready to run!
THE BASICS
Running for Federal Office – Quick answers to questions provided by the Federal Election Commission. Additional resources for candidates for federal office:
General Information about Running for Office – A general guide from the PA Dept. of State about running for state-wide office in Pennsylvania. For detailed information contact the Pennsylvania Division of Elections at (717) 787-5280 or RA-elections@pa.gov.
Running for Local Office in Allegheny County – a general overview of running for office in the county at local levels. For details information and official forms and instructions, contact the Allegheny County Elections Division at (412) 350-4528.
THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
National Democratic Training Committee – free campaign training for every Democratic candidate. Everywhere.
Best Practices Institute -The Best Practices Institute (BPI) is the shared training department of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the ASDC. The BPI delivers trainings to activists and volunteers, Party leaders and staff, students and youth organizers, candidates and campaign staff, constituency caucus members and community leaders, and so many more!
SUPPORT FOR WOMEN RUNNING FOR OFFICE
Pennsylvania Center for Woman & Politics is based out of Chatham University in the 14th Ward and provides non-partisan political training to encourage women to run for government leadership positions.
emergePennsylvania is changing the face of PA politics by identifying, training and encouraging Democratic women to run for office, get elected and to seek higher office.
Emily’s List is launching Run to Win is a national recruitment campaign aimed at recruiting and helping pro-choice Democratic women around the country run for office and win.
IGNITE is building a movement of young women who are ready to own their fair share of political power.
VoteRunLead supports the aspirations of women who want to transform our country and democracy through their participation as leaders.
SUPPORT FOR DIVERSE CANDIDATES
Congressional Black Caucus Institute’s Boot Camp is a highly-acclaimed intensive leadership development program designed to help participants who want to become leaders, strategists, and key staff members.
Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund – electing LGBT leaders to change America’s politics.
Boards, Authorities and Commissions (BACs)
Boards, authorities and commissions are advisory councils responsible for public and private matters such as transportation, waste management and urban renewal. Serving on a BAC is a meaningful way to be involved civically in your region and, as a representative of your area, you can make decisions that have real impact on your community.
Having diverse members of BACs allows all people to be represented and can ensure diversity of ideas. BACs are more efficient and democratic when representation is equal to the population being served. In fall 2016, it was reported that minority representation on BACs is on par with the population of the communities served, however women are not adequately represented and are strongly encouraged to apply for open positions.
Allegheny County BACs
Allegheny County has 40 active BACs, and more information about them and any current openings can be found here on the County’s website. Use that page to apply for a position or email a cover letter and resume directly to: boards@alleghenycounty.us
City of Pittsburgh BACs
The City of Pittsburgh has 26 BACs, and more information about them can be found here on the City’s website.
Local Community Groups
Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition
The Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition (SHUC) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization with a mission to preserve the history of Squirrel Hill, embrace diversity, and connect neighbors.
Western PA Conservancy
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy protects and restores exceptional places to provide our region with clean waters and healthy forests, wildlife and natural areas for the benefit of present and future generations.
Tree Pittsburgh
Tree Pittsburgh is an environmental non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the City’s vitality by restoring and protecting the urban forest through tree maintenance, planting, education and advocacy.
Election Day Volunteering
There are several important ways to donate your time and skills on election day:
Every election we depend on our dedicated poll workers to ensure a smooth and democratic election process. The Board of Elections is always seeking individuals to serve as poll workers.
Ensure that voting rights are protected by training and volunteering to serve as an Election Protection volunteer.
Volunteer to help the 14th Ward Committee where needed, by delivering campaign materials, working the polls, etc. Please contact Liz Healey, our 14th Ward Chairperson, for more information.
