National Run For Office Day to Recruit Gen Z and Other Underrepresented Groups to Run for Office in 2024 and Beyond

With 70% of races uncontested in 2022, Civic Nation and Run For Something Civics are partnering on a nonpartisan day of action to recruit more people to run for office ahead of 2024 elections

Washington, DC: Today, Civic Nation and Run for Something Civics announced National Run For Office Day will take place on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. National Run For Office Day’s goal is to increase representation at every level of government – especially local offices. The campaign will encourage people who are underrepresented in elected office, including young people, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQIA+ and people with disabilities to run this election cycle.

The campaign will meet people where they are, using social media, in-person events and creative content to engage community and corporate partners, brands, celebrities, influencers and leaders across industries to spread the message of National Run For Office Day. Nearly 70% of races on the ballot during the November 2022 midterm elections were unopposed or uncontested, including 85% of state elections and 67% of local elections — so there is a place for young people and other underrepresented groups on the ballot. 41 million members of Gen Z will be eligible to vote this year. When surveyed, 20% of young people said they would run for office.

“Voting allows us to hold our elected officials accountable for the decisions they make, but when the people leading our state and local governments run for office again and again uncontested, it undermines the power of people and our democracy. There is a simple solution — more people should run for office. That’s why Civic Nation is proud to partner with Run for Something Civics on National Run For Office Day to ensure our elected officials at all levels are reflective of the people they represent,” said Valerie Jarrett, Board Chair of Civic Nation.

“Government works best when it is truly representative of the communities it serves. We can change government from the bottom up by recruiting and electing young and diverse people to local and state elected offices, especially those who have been historically left out of the political process,” said Amanda Litman, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of Run For Something Civics. “National Run For Office Day is more important than ever to ensure government works for everyone, not just those with power and influence.”

By any possible measurement, the U.S. government is not reflective of the American people. Gaps exist when it comes to race, age, identifying as LGBTQIA+ and more:

• The median age among Americans is 38 years old, yet the average age in the U.S. Senate is 63. 
• Only 20% of people in state legislatures are under 45.
• The median age of school board members is 59.
• Thirty of the 50 U.S. governors are 60 or older, and the average U.S. mayor of a major city is 58.
• Among state legislators, only 33% are women, 10.5% are Black, 6% are Latino and 4% are Asian/Pacific Islander.
• Nationwide, only 0.2% of elected officials publicly identify as LGBTQIA+.

While many polls point out that young people have lower enthusiasm around the 2024 elections, a study from IGNITE found that about 70% of Gen Z women and non-binary people would be more likely to vote if there were more women, people of color, young people and people who speak to the issues they care about on the ballot. Gen Z men are looking for younger candidates that speak to the issues they care about.

National Run For Office Day is on Tuesday, January 23rd. An event to celebrate the day with current elected officials raising awareness about running for local office will take place in New York City. Members of the media interested in attending or more information should contact press@civicnation.org. Learn more at runforofficeday.com.