Rockville-Elects   

Rockville needs more than a few good women and men.

 The knowledge, judgment, and time of citizens just like you are an essential part of governing Rockville. Many citizens serve their community in their churches, citizen associations, service clubs and as volunteers on the 21 city advisory committees. But in recent years fewer citizens have stepped forward to run for elective office - to serve on our Mayor and Council. When there are fewer candidates to choose from at the polls, few citizens vote and citizen involvement in the city government begins to decline.

After a six months study and discussion, the Charter Review Commission decided that most of the suggested changes for Rockville government were not desirable. But from all of the discussions there developed the understanding that there was a need for a greater number of candidates, a greater range of choices for voters when selecting their Mayor and Council.
                                                                            .                                                                                                  For the first time in over fifty years there are no major political groups or slates promoting candidates for office in Rockville. Without a political structure in place to assist a new candidate, the task of running a successful political campaign is overwhelming. In the past most new candidates ran for office after being selected at a convention or being privately asked to join a slate of incumbents running for reelection.. Running with others who had previous experience enhanced the chances of a successful race. When running independently, only a very exceptional candidate with excellent resources can overcome the barrier of inexperience.

To help overcome the barrier of inexperience, the Alliance of Rockville Citizens in cooperation with others is beginning a program called Rockville Elects. This program will encourage and provide non-monetary resources to candidates for elective office in Rockville. This program is open to all candidates with the hope of providing a "level playing field" for candidates, whether or not they have run before.

 The selected candidates will be under no obligation to Rockville Elects or any of the people in it. The selected candidates will be free to form alliances with any non-partisan group, slate, or political organization or may run completely independently. The only goal of Rockville Elects is to provide a greater pool of candidates for Rockville voters from which to choose.

                                 What will be offered to a Rockville Elects Candidate?
Unlike political races in the county or areas dominated by the major political parties, it does not take much money to run successfully in Rockville. Television, radio and newspaper advertising, the major expenses elsewhere play no role in Rockville elections. In the most recent election in 2005 , a winning candidate spent less than $171.00.
The major campaign needs are know-how, people, and time (and some money). Rockville Elects will provide the know-how, The candidates must find volunteer helpers, donors, and have time available to campaign. Rockville Elects will assist first time candidates with:
 ● Access to a bulk mailing permit.
 ● A free web site, and the loan of a computer if needed.
 ● The latest list of voters in the city with guidelines to concentrate their efforts on the most probable voters
 ● A handbook of steps in the election and how to estimate their need for money.
 ● A computer program to keep track of donations, expenses, and produce the financial reports required by the Board of  Election Supervisors.



             How will the Candidates Assisted by Rockville Elects Candidates be chosen?
 To be eligible we ask that candidates determine their own prospects of a successful race.
 ● All formal city requirements must be met. All candidates must be US citizens, be 18 or over and have lived in the city one year by election day. Candidates must submit a petition signed by 100 registered voters who are city residents and must have a treasurer. A candidate’s packet is available from the City Clerk that lists all the requirements. The deadline for filing for candidacy is Friday, September 7, 2007.  Most candidates file before the summer so that they can campaign for as long as possible.
● Demonstrate the ability to get local support in his/her own neighborhood and support in other parts of the city. As a start the candidate should try to find 5 people in his/her own neighborhood, and 5 people in other neighborhoods who will help in the election campaign.
● Show an ability to raise money. As a start a candidate should try to raise $200. This is just a beginning. In the 2005 election, the smallest amount raised by a winning candidate was $ 171.00
● Be sure that the candidate has the time to run. Free time on weekends and evenings are needed to ring doorbells. - a couple of thousand at least.
● Select any political position as long as it is not against any racial or ethnic group. Rockville’s non-partisan elections do not permit any indication on the ballot showing affiliation with any national or local group. Only the candidate’s name is permitted.

If the idea of running for office interests you, your first step should be to go to the City Clerk's office in City Hall and pick up a copy of the "2007 Candidate Information Election Packet" and read it to get a better idea of what a candidate must do.

 Running for office is hard work and a candidate must have faith in himself/herself and a strong desire to succeed. But win or not, most candidates find the campaign enjoyable. Hints and tips on good campaign practices will be included in the resource packet given to chosen candidates.

                                                                   What’s the Catch?
If elected, we ask that you serve all the citizens of Rockville After serving ten years on the Mayor and Council, Rose Krasnow said the job was “Exhilarating, Exhausting, Fascinating, Frustrating, Adrenaline-pumping, Anxiety-producing, time-consuming, All-consuming ...An honor and a joy”

 The advantages are enough to make most people go back for more.. You are a part of history, making democracy work. And you get to know and love a great city and the people in it.

 For more information on Rockville Elects call any of the following:
 Jim Coyle 301-251-1584
 Jim Marrinan 301-340-1325
 Roald Schrack 301-279-7017
 Connie Tonat 301-279-7796
 Gerald R. Cichy 301-424-2974
 Alex Greene 301-762-4774
 Glennon Harrison 301-279-6759