County Offices

Maryland County Offices

Councilmanic district lines will change in Montgomery County along with the addition of two brand new districts in Montgomery County.


 

Important Note – Montgomery County does have a Public Campaign Financing Law.

Under Maryland Election Law, Section 13-505, counties may establish their own system of public campaign financing. In September 2014 the Council unanimously enacted Bill 16-14, which established a Public Election Fund to provide public campaign financing for County Executive and County Council candidates. When the Council enacted Bill 16-14 it was the first measure of its type in the Washington metropolitan region and in Maryland.

  • Encourage greater voter participation in County elections
  • Increase opportunities for more residents to run for office
  • Reduce the influence of large contributions from businesses, political action groups, and other large organizations

CLICK HERE for details on Montgomery County’s Public Campaign Financing Law

Office Sought Age State Citizen/ Resident District Resident Term of Office Additional Qualifications
County Executive 4 years As specified in local charter
County Council 4 years As specified in local charter
Co. Commissioners 4 years As specified in public local law
County Treasurer 4 years As specified in public local law
State’s Attorney Subdivision 2 years 4 years Member – Maryland Bar
Clerk of the Courts 4 years
Register of Wills 4 years
Orphans Court Judge Subdivision 1 year 4 years
Sheriff 25 5 years Reside w/in subdivision 4 years
Board of Education Vary Contact specific County

Before you announce, it’s important to talk to your spouse, your family and close friends.  Let them know you are thinking about running.  RED FLAG: If your spouse isn’t on board with your plans, then you don’t want to run.  It will lead down a rough and bumpy road.

After you’ve gotten the blessing to run for office from your spouse and family, your first task is to find a campaign treasurer.  You can’t run without one, and you’ll want to find someone who is detail-oriented, because you don’t want to be late with filings.   Your treasurer’s name will be on every piece of political material you put out, from your website to tee shirts.  A good rule to follow is that when in doubt,  put the authority line on it. I will address the authority line in a later column.

After you decide to be a candidate and you have your treasurer, you need to go to Annapolis to file.

You should make a day of it and take plenty of pictures and videos on the day you file.  Consider doing a Facebook Live right after you file – just something brief.