How do I Become a County Supervisor?

A county supervisor, also known as a county commissioner in many jurisdictions, is an elected position with the job of overseeing a county's operations. In order to become a county supervisor, there may be residency requirements and age restrictions. In some cases, a county supervisor may need experience in some form of local government oversight, but most of the time they are simply elected once meeting a minimum age and residency requirement.

To become a county supervisor, you must first be of a certain age. In most jurisdictions, this is the voting age, which is 18 in the United States. Some locations may require those running for office, whether it be a local office or higher office, to be older than 18 years old. This is especially likely in jurisdictions containing large cities, where the duties will likely be more complicated. You should check the requirements for your local jurisdiction before running. In some rare cases, those under 18 may even be able to become a county supervisor.

The other requirement is a residency restriction. In order to become a county supervisor, you must live within the confines of that particular county. In some cases, you only have to live in the county from the time you file election papers or begin to serve as a supervisor. In other cases, you may need to live in the county a certain number of years before you are eligible to run. Each jurisdiction could be different, or it may be determined by state law.

Other than this, if you want to become a county supervisor, finding a way to get involved is a key part. Whether that is serving on a local board, volunteering in the community, or speaking out on an issue, politicians at any level must find a way to achieve a certain level of name recognition. County volunteer boards, many of which are appointed and may be looking for volunteers, is one way to do this.

You may also wish to pursue a degree in political science or public administration. These fields offer insight to the issues you would likely face if you ever were to become a county supervisor. Therefore, the background they could provide could serve as a valuable reference when it comes time to make tough decisions. By the same token, serving in a student body leadership role in high school or college may also provide useful experience.

It may also be a good idea to get involved in a political party, whether or not the races in your county are partisan. Getting involved with a party helps create a natural base of support as you embark on a political career. While the parties cannot guarantee success, those who have the backing of a major party have a built-in base of supporters from the very beginning.