2026 Campaign Plan

THIS IS A DRAFT DOCUMENT

Background

Most towns have elections in the first half of the year. Massachusetts legislative elections are November 3rd, 2026.

Objectives

Identify and train our candidates for the 2026 elections. Help them to:

• setup their campaign
• identify and train their campaign staff
• identify and train volunteers
• get on the ballot
• fundraise
• identify supporters
• get supporters to the polls (GOTV)

Campaigns

There will be three types of campaigns:

1. Those that identify supporters and get them to the polls
2. Those that organize campaign events (standouts, etc.)
3. Those that meet the minimum requirements:
   1. get on the ballot
   2. meet with media to talk about their campaign
   3. attend any debates

We will encourage candidates to choose a campaign that will have the highest degree of success based on the available time.

Focus on clustering candidates in areas with larger Pirate support.

Documents we need

• Updated organizer guide
• Updated How to Run for Office guide
  • How-To Videos
• Pirate Vision
• How to govern guide - A pirates guide to local government include links to:
  • what can the office do
  • Massachusetts local government guide
  • guide to town meeting - state/election doc
  • our local government / town FAQ
  • Steve videos

Time line

Open questions:

• When is the date to register as a pirate?
• What is the date for voters in other parties to switch to Pirate to qualify to run?
  • 90 days before papers are due
• What is the deadline to pull papers?
• What is the date for ethics report?
• What are OCPF filing dates?
• Replacement dates if candidate withdraws?

2025 Q3

• 2025/07/15 - schedule organizer check-ins through September
• 2025/07/15 - start outreach to organizers, candidates & volunteers
• 2025/07/20 - have all all voter records
  • We have voters in 221 municipalities
  • We have lists from 93 municipalities
  • We need lists from 128 municipalities
• 2025/08/01 - start discussion of the pirate vision including what core issues we want to focus on
• 2025/08/01 - initial outreach to organizers & candidates
• 2025/08/01 - schedule organizer check-ins through October
• 2025/08/15 - initial outreach to volunteers
• 2025/09/01 - schedule organizer/candidate check-ins through November

2025 Q4

• 2025/10/01 - schedule organizer/candidate check-ins through December
• 2025/11/01 - schedule organizer/candidate check-ins through February 2026
• 2025/11/15 - Have identified all candidates
• 2025/11/15 - write a how to govern guide/webpage - A pirates guide to local government
• 2025/11/30 - Have started candidate and office holder training
  • can schedule different days for different offices
  • so candidates know what we expect of them and know the party's overall strategy and messaging
  • candidates come prepared for the office and winning
• 2025/11/30 - 1st town nom papers available
• 2025/12/01 - schedule organizer/candidate check-ins through May 2026
• 2025/12/30 - finish the pirate vision document with input from members, organizers and candidates

2026 Q1

• 2026/01/01 - schedule organizer/candidate check-ins through June
• 2026/02/01 - schedule organizer/candidate check-ins through July
• 2026/02/15 - State nomination papers available
• 2026/02/28 - Date to switch to Pirate if a candidate in a partisan election
• 2026/03/01 - schedule organizer/candidate check-ins through August
• 2026/03/15 - schedule post signature gathering candidate conference

2026 Q2

• 2026/04/01 - schedule organizer/office holder check-ins through September
• 2026/04/30 - State nomination papers due at cities/towns
• 2026/05/01 - schedule organizer/office holder check-ins through October
• 2026/05/28 - State nomination papers due at Election Division
• 2026/06/01 - schedule organizer/office holder check-ins through November
• 2026/06/?? - Hold post signature gathering candidate conference

2026 Q3

• 2026/07/01 - schedule organizer check-ins through December
• 2026/08/01 - schedule organizer check-ins through January 2027
• 2026/09/01 - schedule organizer check-ins through February 2027
• 2026/09/?? - Primary Election

2026 Q4

• 2026/10/01 - schedule organizer check-ins through March 2027
• 2026/10/?? - Mail in voting starts
• 2026/10/?? - Early voting starts
• 2026/10/?? - Last day to register to vote
• 2026/11/01 - schedule organizer check-ins through April 2027
• 2026/11/03 - General Election
• 2026/12/01 - schedule organizer check-ins through May 2027

Resources

https://runforsomething.net/

third party candidate training