Chapter 33 Preparations Before the Election

Mu Xin leaned back in his chair, looking at the clear blue sky outside the window.

The Water Plant in the distance glittered under the sunlight, and people were coming and going on the streets of the small town; everything was proceeding according to plan.

He glanced at the system panel.

[Current population of Oxford Town: 23,047]

[USD distributed today: 23,047,000]

[Note: USD can only be used in Oxford Town]

The population was a few dozen more than before.

Not much, but at least it was growing.

...

On the third day after the Water Plant resumed operations, Mu Xin convened the first election preparatory meeting on the third floor of the Morris Building.

There weren't many people attending: Mu Xin himself, Jessica, Victoria, and Richard Miller, who had just rushed over from Cincinnati.

Richard was wearing a dark gray suit today, which he had specifically gone to buy in Cincinnati yesterday.

Although the fabric was average and the cut wasn't particularly well-fitting, he looked much more energetic than in his previous wrinkled shirts.

"Don't be nervous." Mu Xin pointed to the sofa, "Sit."

Richard sat down, hands on his knees, his fingers rubbing against each other uncomfortably.

The highest position he had ever held in his life was director of the Environmental Protection Agency's Southwest Branch, managing a few dozen people.

Now, suddenly having to run for State Legislature, just thinking about it made his legs go weak.

"Mr. Mu, can I really do this?" Richard's voice was a bit shaky, "I don't know anything about politics."

"No one is born knowing it." Mu Xin sat opposite him, picked up the 7-Up on the table, and took a sip.

"Besides, you don't need to become a politician; you just need to be yourself."

Jessica pulled a document out of a folder and handed it to everyone.

"I'll briefly introduce the basic situation of the Ohio State Legislature election."

Jessica opened the document, her tone professional and clear, "Just have a general idea, no need to memorize too much."

Ohio State Legislature Election - Basic Situation

Position: Member of the Ohio House of Representatives.

Term: Two years, elected every two years, no term limits.

Qualification requirements: Must be a US citizen, must have resided in the district for at least one year, and must be at least 18 years old.

Election cycle: Ohio's primary election is scheduled for after the first Tuesday in May of even-numbered years, and the general election is scheduled for after the first Tuesday in November.

"Next year is an election year, Richard." Mu Xin looked at Richard, "With less than a year until the primary, the timing is perfect."

Richard nodded, his palms already sweating.

"So what is the general process?" Victoria asked.

Her responsibility was managing money, and figuring out the flow of campaign funds was what she cared about most.

Jessica continued flipping through the documents—

Step 1: Confirm the district.

The Ohio House of Representatives districts are divided by the State Legislature, with each district having a population of about sixty to eighty thousand.

Oxford Town is located in the 47th district, covering Oxford Town and several surrounding small towns and part of the rural area.

The opponent is the incumbent, a Republican Party old politician who has been in office for twelve years.

Step 2: Party registration.

Richard needs to decide under what status to run.

Becoming a nominee of a major party (Democratic Party and Republican Party) usually requires participating in that party's primary.

If running as an independent candidate, it is necessary to collect a certain number of voter signature petitions.

"What status do you intend to run as?" Jessica looked at Richard.

Richard was stunned for a moment, then looked at Mu Xin.

"Democratic Party." Mu Xin said calmly, "In the district where Oxford Town is located, the Democratic Party has a slight advantage."

"Besides, Richard has worked at the Environmental Protection Agency for over twenty years; the Democratic Party's policy platform aligns better with your experience."

Richard nodded; he didn't care about any party; he only cared about one thing: making Jimmy Williams pay the price.

Step 3: Submit application and registration fee.

Submit a declaration of candidacy to the Secretary of State's office and pay the registration fee.

The registration fee for an Ohio House of Representatives seat is $85, a $50 base fee plus a $35 surcharge.

"Eighty-five dollars?" Richard thought he had misheard.

"The registration fee isn't expensive, but the real spending comes later." Jessica gave a bitter smile.

Step 4: Campaign fundraising.

Restrictions on individual donations to state-level elections vary by state, and Ohio has its own rules.

It is currently not very convenient for Mu Xin to donate on a large scale in his own name, but his money can enter the campaign through legal channels.

For example, establishing a Political Action Committee (PAC); such organizations accept unlimited donations but cannot give money directly to candidates, instead being used for independent advocacy.

"I don't care about these." Richard shook his head, "I just want to know what I need to do."

Step 5: Campaign activities.

Including visiting voters door-to-door, participating in community activities, releasing campaign advertisements, participating in television and radio debates, promoting on social media, inviting celebrities to campaign, etc.

"Knocking on doors?" Richard's brow furrowed, "I don't know those voters, how do I talk to them?"

"You don't need to know them; you just need to let them know you." Jessica explained patiently.

"Besides, you have an advantage that no other politician has: your story."

"You are a local, having lived in Oxford Town for most of your life. You have over twenty years of public service experience."

"Your son was killed by a powerful person, and the murderer has yet to receive the punishment they deserve."

"You resigned to run for office precisely so that ordinary people like your son are no longer bullied by those with money and power."

"This story is more persuasive than any empty slogan."

Richard's eyes were slightly red, and he didn't speak.

Step 6: Voting.

Ohio voters need to register in advance and vote at designated polling stations on election day.

Most states allow mail-in ballots and early voting; after election day ends, the vote counting results are usually announced that night or the next day.

Step 7: Swearing-in.

If elected, the new representative will be sworn in in January of the following year, officially beginning a two-year term.

"That's about it." Jessica closed the documents, looking at Richard, "The process isn't complicated, but the workload is huge."

"An election isn't a one-person job; we need a professional team."

"Then how do we build the team?" Richard asked.

Mu Xin leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping gently on the tabletop.

"I'll arrange it." he said, "Campaign manager, treasurer, media relations—I'll hire these from the outside."

"You don't need to worry about these miscellaneous tasks; you only need to do one thing."

"What thing?" Richard sat up straight subconsciously.

"Learn to tell a story—tell your story." Mu Xin looked into his eyes and said.

"How you watched your son get killed, how you watched the murderer go unpunished, how you watched yourself struggle in this system, isolated and helpless, for so many years."

"Say it all—those tears, that anger, that unwillingness."

"Don't be subtle, don't cover it up; just tell it exactly as it is."

"Voters don't need a perfect politician; they need a real person."

Richard was silent for a long time.

The coffee on the table had gone cold, and the sunlight outside the window moved slowly, sliding from the windowsill to the floor.

"Okay." he finally spoke, his voice hoarse but firm, "I'll tell it."