Confirm you meet the constitutional age, citizenship, and residency requirements for the office you want
Decide whether to run for the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate
Research your state’s election laws, filing deadlines, and ballot access rules
Choose a district or state to run in
Form a campaign committee
Register your campaign with the Federal Election Commission
Open a campaign bank account
Build a campaign budget
Raise campaign funds
Hire or recruit campaign staff and volunteers
Develop your campaign message and platform
Create a campaign website and social media presence
Collect the required signatures or pay filing fees if your state requires them
File all required candidacy paperwork on time
Qualify for the ballot
Campaign through public events, media, canvassing, and outreach
Participate in debates and forums
Comply with all campaign finance, reporting, and election laws
Get voters to the polls on Election Day
Count on a runoff or general election process if applicable