This year, Ogden Public Square and Women’s Work Utah are aiming to make sure people in those municipalities know how to run for office.

This year, the groups are collaborating to host “Running Time!” — a candidate workshop set for 6 p.m. Thursday at the Grounds for Coffee location at 30005 Harrison Blvd.

“We will discuss basic and key information for building a campaign with Leah Murray, Ph.D., Director, Walker Institute of Politics,” Gina Timmerman of Women’s Work Utah told the Standard-Examiner in an email Monday. “Steven Van Wagoner, 2024 Candidate for Weber County Commission, will lead us through his experience and lead a Q&A.”

She said Ogden City Council member Angela Choberka will also present about the job duties of city council members since there are so many of these positions open in cities across the area.

Timmerman said the event is open to the public and aimed at anyone in the community that is interested in running for local office.

“This is our first time,” she said. “We identified that this is not happening — it would be great if there was a place where if you or I or any citizen in the community were interested in running, where can you learn how to run in your community? So we thought, ‘Well, this seems to be a good idea, let’s try it out and see what happens.”

She said she’s unaware of any similar programs in the region.

“In my experience, the help with the campaign comes from the political parties during the partisan races,” she said. “We felt like we were filling a void or a gap that exists by offering a little workshop so that that those who might be interested might find some information that helps them step up and do that because typically we don’t see that many people file for these seats.”

Timmerman, citing information for the League of Women Voters, noted there are numerous positions that will be up for election in 2025, including:

• Farr West — Mayor and two council seats.
• Harrisville — Mayor and two council seats.
• Hooper — Three council seats.
• Huntsville — Mayor and two council seats.
• Marriott-Slaterville — Mayor and two council seats.
• North Ogden City — Mayor and two council seats.
• Ogden City — Council member – District 1.
• Ogden Council Member — District 3.
• Ogden Council Member — At-large seat A.
• Ogden Council Member — At-large seat B.
• Plain City — Mayor.
• Pleasant View — Mayor and two council seats.
• Riverdale — Mayor and two of three city council seats.
• Roy — Mayor and three city council seats.
• South Ogden — Mayor and two city council seats.
• Uintah — Mayor and two city council seats.
• Washington Terrace — Mayor and one city council seat.
• West Haven — Mayor and two city council seats.

Filing dates for 2025 are June 1-7.

For information or to RSVP — though it is not required — email OgdenCommunityCollaborative@gmail.com.