(( Mayoral Election Information ))
- How to run for mayor in three easy steps!
- Read this entire post.
- Apply using the application in this thread & prepare your manifesto.
- Campaign! Get out, strut your stuff, and try to garner support.
ABOUT THE ELECTION PROCESS
The election process is not that complicated.
All candidates to want to run may begin ICly immediately and announce their campaign and intent to run, pending state approval. Do not do any other forms of campaigning or posters, interviews, etc. until you are accepted and campaigning begins. Fill out an application located in this thread and send it to the provided link. Once approved, you can begin campaigning at the date when campaigning begins.
A candidate will only be denied the ability to run if it is felt they OOCly are not capable, trustworthy, have been around long enough in the community, or in an inappropriate standing to run, or if they have committed a serious felony (such as murder) that the Secretary of State feels is worthy of disqualification. We reserve the right to remove people after accepting them for any reason. This is a position with a lot of commitments and responsibilities.
A candidate must post a manifesto. a manifesto is essentially a "what I want to do" for mayor candidacy. It's in any format or manner you want. You must have one in before your mayor debate. You may post one as soon as your application is up.
You will (or try to, depending on scheduling) attend up to two debates hosted in City Hall to discuss issues, make your points clear, and win voters.
The process will occur in up to two rounds of an election at faction leadership discretion. Round 1 will take the two highest-voted candidates to round 2 - where we will have a simple majority for the mayoral position. If you win, you will be inaugurated and become mayor.
If you still have questions don't hesitate to contact Venta or Sid.
REQUIREMENTS
- Have been in the community with your character for a significant amount of time. The longer the merrier, generally we require a minimum of six (6) months, but exceptions can be made.
- Understand the importance of the position and being active as the mayor.
- Willingness to work with current, longstanding members of GOV alongside your team if elected.
- A genuine interest in working with the other legal factions and agencies in the State of San Andreas.
- Brush up on the Laws of San Andreas.
- Having an interest in creating new and unique events is always a plus.
Manifestos are essentially "what I'm gonna do when I become mayor" posters.
Just remember:- Be realistic. Don't promise things you can't do.
- Be logical. Remember whatever you want may need approval from the faction leadership.
- Be smart. Be accurate, show you know what you're talking about.
- Be simple, and concise. Don't overdo it with fancy speech. Write whatever it takes to get the job done or explain what you want to do.
- Remember to read the current laws and state your opinions on recent government actions.
- DO NOT BASH OR COMPARE THE POLICIES OF YOUR OPPONENTS TO YOUR OWN
CAMPAIGNING
Campaigning can be made in any manner you please so long as you don't try to "buy" or solicit votes illegally, commit illegal activities in the process, or associate yourself with illegal entities and their illegal activities (To a certain point, it's allowed). It should be advised the OOC corruption rules and philosophy extends to candidates pursuing office.
Do not use faction commands to your advantage, or abuse a staff position (such as being a tester, high-ranking faction member, etc.) to dig up dirt, attack other candidates, or unfairly benefit yourself.
You cannot associate the act of voting with any events that involve prizes, giveaways, contests, etc. While you may use these to encourage people to visit your campaign events you cannot say "Vote for me!" or anything stupid as you give them a prize, this is considered the act of soliciting votes illegally
Keep track of ALL money raised while campaigning. Using illegally sourced money is at your own risk!
All candidates are responsible for the actions of their supporters both OOCly and ICly and must report delinquent supporters (who are not acting with your support or accordance) to the staff team immediately
If you are not actively in-game campaigning, the election commission reserves the right to withhold you from the ballot. Take this period of campaigning seriously. We're to be spot-checking, but if we don't see you online for extended periods we'll consider that you don't care about campaigning. We also reserve the right to accept or disqualify any candidate at any time based on our good judgment for the position of mayor and the running of an effective election.
Endorsements: You may be endorsed by any organization other than a media or news organization. An endorsement may NOT be used to promise goods or services in return for votes, but rather a show of support of similar policies and efforts related to the candidate.
News coverage: If you are covered on the news, TV, SAN, etc. then do your part to ensure equal and fair coverage of the other candidates.
Private media: Private media can endorse a candidate but cannot use their media agency to simply serve the agenda of a single candidate. You can find things to dislike about candidates but be equal about your hatred. The election commission reserves the right to tell private media agencies to stop covering the elections if they are not believed to act responsibly in their actions.
Once voting begins you must end ALL active campaigning. Old posters, videos, etc. do not have to be taken down BUT you should not actively post new campaign messages, tell people to vote for you, talk to people outside of voting locations, etc.
You can. however, encourage people to vote during the voting period, but cannot endorse a specific candidate.
Don't ask businesses or anyone to post ads or promote your campaign while they do their advertising.
BEING A GOOD MAYOR
There is no template for being a good or bad mayor, but we urge you to remember being mayor means you need to commit to being online with your mayoral character at least a few times a week, and that it will be a boring experience if you think you can just walk on the street and people will swoon all over you. The best way to be a mayor is to try to be engaging and interesting and go around trying to make a difference in Los Santos.
Bear in mind that you are considered a role model for everyone. People look up to you, and acting silly will have a very negative effect on your candidacy or mayoral term. Please also try to limit OOC influences on your term as mayor, especially your relationship with illegal factions.
The mayors people remember and love were the ones who were very active in-game and on the forums. Remember that!
Original text written by Conti