Most of Prince George's County's 27 municipalities, from Laurel to Eagle Harbor, will hold elections for their town or city councils in 2027, with some local governments holding mayoral elections, as well. Civically engaged residents who are committed to making government work for the County's multiracial working class have a role to play in shaping these local legislative bodies. Town and city councils can regulate slumlords, shift our approach to delivering community safety to one that addresses root causes, and improve the quality and reliability of public services like trash pick-up and snow removal. This work is a vitally important part in the broader effort to build support for democratic socialism in Prince George's County. Some, but not all, municipal office-holders go on to run for positions in county and state government. Municipal office can both be an end, in and of itself, and a way, in part, of building experience in the exercise of governing power.

On Sunday, September 20, the Prince George's County Branch of Metro DC DSA will hold an information session at 2 PM at the Bladensburg Branch Library on what it takes to run for and serve on a town or city council in Prince George's County. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from four DSA members who have served on city councils in Greenbelt, Hyattsville, Mount Rainier, and New Carrollton, respectively. Our hope is that this event will demystify what it takes to run for office. Please come even if you cannot imagine yourself running, both because you might change your mind after hearing from our speakers and because there will also be useful information for socialists who are interested in helping others to run.

Afterwards, we will sojourn to Town Center Market in Riverdale Park for a happy hour, with rides between locations available.