Campaign websites for sheriff and county offices
For sheriff, clerk of court, coroner, auditor, treasurer and probate judge, voters hire for qualifications. Put yours where they can see them.
County constitutional offices are a different kind of race. When voters choose a sheriff, a clerk of court, a coroner, an auditor, a treasurer or a probate judge, they are hiring someone to run an office that has to work every single day. Many of them will never call that office. But they want to be sure that if they do, someone qualified is in charge.
That means your website should lead with credentials and experience. Opinions and plans come next.
Credentials and experience front and center
Put your qualifications near the top of the homepage, not buried on the about page. Write them in plain language a voter understands.
- Sheriff: years in law enforcement, ranks and roles held, supervisory and budget experience, certifications and training.
- Clerk of court: experience with court records, case management, staff supervision, and public service.
- Coroner: medical, investigative or death-investigation background and any required certification.
- Auditor and treasurer: accounting, finance or public administration experience and credentials.
- Probate judge: legal background, experience with estates, guardianships or marriage licenses, and service to families.
Qualifications for some of these offices are set by state law. Check your state's requirements and say clearly that you meet them.
Pages that matter most
About and qualifications
One page that tells your career story with dates, roles and results. Our bio guide explains how to keep it readable.
Plans for the office
Two or three pages on how you would run things. For sheriff, that might be staffing and recruitment, the detention center, response times in rural areas, or school resource officers. For clerk or treasurer, it might be wait times, online services or transparency. Be practical and specific.
Endorsements
Endorsements carry extra weight in these races. Retired officers, former office holders, local attorneys, pastors and community leaders tell voters that people who know the work trust you. Check whether your state or agency limits endorsements from current employees.
Be careful with uniforms and agency resources
This is where county office candidates most often get into trouble. Many states and agencies restrict the use of public resources for campaigns, and that can include:
- Wearing an agency uniform or badge in campaign photos or video
- Photos with patrol vehicles, inside the courthouse or in government offices
- Using agency logos, seals or patches
- Using government email, phones or time for campaign work
- Asking subordinates for campaign help or donations
The rules vary widely. Confirm with your state ethics commission, your elections office and your agency's policy before you publish any photo or claim. This is not legal advice. We will ask you about this before we place photos, and our photo guide has more on permissions.
Which package usually fits
Contested sheriff races usually call for Campaign ($799 setup + $39/mo) or Full Season ($1,499 setup + $59/mo). Campaign adds a written bio and three issue pages from a 30-minute interview, an endorsements page, an events calendar and a voter-deadline page. Full Season adds monthly updates through Election Day, new endorsements as they come in, and a matching Facebook header and graphics.
Clerk, treasurer, auditor, coroner and probate races often fit Campaign well, since the bio and endorsements pages carry most of the load. An uncontested or low-key race can start with Launch ($399 setup + $29/mo). See all options on the packages page.
County office site checklist
- Qualifications on the homepage in plain language
- Full career story on the about page
- Two or three practical plans for the office
- Endorsements from people who know the work
- Photos reviewed for uniform and agency-resource rules
- Paid-for-by disclaimer on every page (use our disclaimer builder, then confirm with your state office)
Ready to build? Start your county office site.
Common questions
Can I wear my uniform in campaign photos?
It depends on your state and your agency. Many places limit the use of uniforms, badges, patrol cars and other agency resources in campaign materials. Confirm with your state ethics office and agency policy before you post. This is not legal advice.
Which package do sheriff candidates usually choose?
Contested sheriff races often call for Campaign or Full Season, because voters expect detail on staffing, the jail and the budget. Many clerk, treasurer and auditor races fit well in Campaign.
Should I list my certifications and training?
Yes. For these offices, qualifications are often the deciding factor. List degrees, certifications, years of service and roles held, in plain language voters understand.