Run For Mayor

What a Mayor Does in Ohio

In Ohio, a mayor is the elected chief executive of a city or village, with duties varying based on the municipality’s government structure—either mayor-council (strong mayor) or council-manager (weak mayor)—and its charter (per Ohio Revised Code [ORC] 733). Here’s a detailed breakdown of a mayor’s responsibilities, tailored to Ohio:

1. Executive Leadership
   • Oversee city operations and enforce ordinances (ORC 733.03).
   • In mayor-council systems, appoint department heads (e.g., police chief, public works director) with council approval.
   • In council-manager systems, the manager handles operations, and the mayor’s role is more ceremonial.
2. Budget Responsibilities
   • Propose the annual city budget to the council (ORC 705.16 for mayor-council cities).
   • Manage spending and ensure fiscal responsibility, subject to council approval.
3. Veto Power (Strong Mayor Systems)
   • Veto council-passed ordinances or resolutions (ORC 733.26).
   • Council can override with a supermajority (e.g., two-thirds vote). Not applicable in council-manager systems.
4. Public Safety Oversight
   • Supervise police and fire departments (directly in mayor-council; indirectly via a manager in council-manager).
   • Declare emergencies and coordinate responses (e.g., snowstorms, floods).
5. Community Representation
   • Act as the city’s public face, attending events, ribbon-cuttings, or speaking on behalf of residents.
   • Address constituent concerns (e.g., via town halls or office hours).
6. Judicial Role (Villages or Small Cities)
   • In villages or cities without a municipal court, preside over a mayor’s court to handle minor offenses (e.g., traffic tickets, misdemeanors) per ORC 1905.
   • Larger cities like Columbus delegate this to courts.
7. Policy Vision
   • Set goals for the city (e.g., economic growth, infrastructure upgrades) and work with council to implement them.
   • Example: Leading a downtown revitalization project.

In Ohio, mayoral terms are typically 4 years (e.g., Columbus, Cincinnati), though some villages use 2-year terms. Work hours vary—full-time in big cities (with salaries like ~$180,000 in Columbus), part-time in small towns (often unpaid or a small stipend).

How to Run for Mayor in Ohio: Requirements and Steps

Running for mayor in Ohio mirrors the process for city council but often involves higher visibility and signature requirements. Below is a tailored guide, assuming a November 4, 2025, election (common for Ohio municipalities in odd years). Check your city’s charter or county board of elections for specifics.

Eligibility Requirements

• Age: At least 18 (Ohio Constitution, Article V, Section 1). Some cities require 21 or 25—see your charter.
• Residency: Live in the city for a set period (e.g., 1 year before filing or taking office—Columbus Charter, Section 6).
• Voter Registration: Be a registered voter in the city.
• No Conflicts: No felony convictions or city employment conflicting with duties (ORC 733.02).

Steps to Run for Office

1. Research Local Rules
   • Review your city’s charter (via the clerk or online) and the Ohio Candidate Requirement Guide.
   • Contact your county board of elections (e.g., Franklin County for Columbus).
   • Resource: Ohio SOS Elections Page
   • Timeline: Start now (April 9, 2025) to prepare.
2. Declare Candidacy and File Paperwork
   • File a Declaration of Candidacy and nominating petition (Form 3-O for nonpartisan races, or partisan if applicable) with your county board of elections.
   • Appoint a treasurer and open a campaign bank account.
   • Resource: SOS Forms: Candidate Petitions
   • Deadline: 90 days before the election, by 4 p.m. (e.g., August 6, 2025, for November 4, 2025). Confirm locally.
3. Collect Signatures
   • Gather signatures from registered city voters. Number varies by population:
     • Villages (<5,000): 25–50 signatures.
     • Small cities: 50–100.
     • Large cities: 200–500 (e.g., Cincinnati requires 500 per Charter Article IX).
   • Use Form 3-O or a city-specific form.
   • Deadline: File by August 6, 2025. Collect extra signatures for buffer.
4. Pay Filing Fees (If Required)
   • Fees range from $25–$100, often waiveable with sufficient signatures.
   • Deadline: Same as petition filing (August 6, 2025).
5. Campaign Finance Registration
   • Register with your county board if raising/spending funds.
   • File reports per ORC 3517.10 (e.g., pre-election, post-election).
   • Resource: Ohio Campaign Finance Handbook
   • Deadline: Register before fundraising (e.g., June 2025); first report due ~October 6, 2025.
6. Campaigning
   • Develop a platform (e.g., “reduce crime” or “improve schools”).
   • Reach voters via rallies, debates, or media (Ohio mayoral races often draw local news).
   • Follow local sign/placement rules.
   • Timeline: Start post-filing (July 2025), peak in fall (September–October 2025).
7. Primary Election (If Applicable)
   • Larger cities (e.g., Columbus, Cleveland) may hold primaries if multiple candidates file.
   • Date: Often May or August (e.g., August 5, 2025—check your city).
   • Smaller towns skip primaries unless partisan.
8. General Election
   • Appear on the ballot citywide.
   • Date: November 4, 2025 (first Tuesday after first Monday in odd years).
   • Resource: Ohio Election Calendar
9. Post-Election
   • If elected, take office (often January 1, 2026).
   • File final finance reports.
   • Deadline: 30–60 days post-election (e.g., December 2025–January 2026).

Hypothetical 2025 Timeline (November 4 Election)

• April–May 2025: Confirm eligibility, get forms.
• June–July 2025: Collect signatures (due August 6).
• August 6, 2025: File by 4 p.m.
• August 2025: Primary (if applicable).
• September–October 2025: Campaign; file reports (e.g., October 6).
• November 4, 2025: Election Day.
• January 1, 2026: Take office.

Ohio-Specific Resources for Mayoral Candidates

• Ohio Secretary of State: Core election info and forms.
  • www.ohiosos.gov/elections/
• County Boards of Elections: Local filing and deadlines.
  • SOS County Directory
• Ohio Municipal League: Governance insights.
  • www.omlohio.org/
• Voter Lookup: Verify registration.
  • Voter Lookup Tool

Mayoral races in Ohio are typically nonpartisan, but some cities (e.g., Toledo) allow partisan primaries—verify with your clerk. Since it’s April 9, 2025, you’ve got time to start for 2025 elections. Name your city for a more precise breakdown!