What Newly Elected Officials Actually Do in Their First 90 Days

Why the post election period is anything but quiet. Elections end. Governance does not pause to catch its breath. The stretch between certification and the first 90 days in office is one of the most active periods of any elected official’s term. It just happens mostly out of public view. No rallies. No debates. No door knocking. Instead, there is planning, hiring, briefing and a lot of decisions that quietly shape how power works for years.

This window matters because it sets the tone for everything that follows. Understanding what happens here helps explain why civic engagement does not stop on Election Day. It simply changes form.

From Certification To Taking Office

Once results are certified, the job duties begin. Even before taking an oath, newly elected officials are expected to prepare to govern.

This phase includes legal briefings on the scope of the office, ethics rules and open meeting laws. In Arizona, that also means understanding public records requirements and conflict-of-interest rules. These are not optional details. They shape how officials can communicate, make decisions and interact with the public from day one.

There is also onboarding with existing staff and agencies. For offices that oversee large departments, officials receive briefings on budgets, ongoing programs, deadlines and legal obligations already in motion.

The key idea is simple. The government does not reset just because an election happened.

Staffing Is One Of The First Real Power Moves

Hiring is not administrative housekeeping. It is governance.

During the first 90 days, elected officials decide who will help them do the work. Chiefs of staff, policy advisors, communications leads and legal counsel often come first. These roles influence what information reaches the official, how priorities are framed and which issues move fastest.

Staff choices affect access. They also affect tone. A team focused on transparency and public engagement will operate very differently from one that prioritizes internal speed or political strategy.

For voters, this is one reason early attention matters. Staffing decisions can shape how open or closed an office feels long after the campaign signs are gone.

Setting Priorities Before The Calendar Fills Up

The early weeks are when officials decide what matters most.

Every office inherits a long list of possible actions. Budgets. Pending legislation. Community concerns. Internal audits. Federal or state deadlines. Not everything can move at once.

The first 90 days are used to sort signal from noise. Officials identify which issues will get early attention and which will wait. These choices often show up later as policy agendas, committee focus or executive directives.

Once the calendar fills, flexibility shrinks. That is why early priorities tend to echo across an entire term.

Learning How The System Actually Works

Campaigns talk about change. Governing requires learning systems.

New officials spend significant time understanding how decisions really move. Who controls which levers. Where approvals get delayed. What authority exists on paper versus in practice.

This learning curve matters. Misunderstanding can stall progress or create legal problems. Strong early grounding helps officials work within the rules while still pushing for outcomes they promised voters.

This is also where institutional memory plays a role. Career staff often provide continuity, context and caution. Listening during this phase can prevent costly mistakes later.

Building Working Relationships Early

Government is collaborative by design.

In the first 90 days, elected officials begin building relationships with colleagues, agency leaders and oversight bodies. These connections influence how smoothly things run when disagreements arise.

Trust built early often determines whether negotiations later feel functional or combative. It also affects how information is shared behind the scenes.

For voters, this explains why tone matters even when policy positions stay the same. How officials work together can be as impactful as what they advocate for.

Public Engagement Does Not Disappear, It Shifts

The absence of campaign events does not mean the public is shut out.

Early governing includes meeting with community groups, stakeholders and advocacy organizations. These meetings help officials understand who is affected by existing policies and where gaps exist.

This is also when public comment at meetings, written input and constituent outreach can carry outsized weight. Officials are still shaping their understanding of the role and the issues. Early engagement helps define what rises to the top.

Participation during this phase is quieter, but often more influential.

Why The First 90 Days Shape The Rest Of The Term

Momentum is real.

Decisions made early tend to lock in patterns. How the staff operates. How meetings run. How transparent the office feels. How responsive communication becomes.

Changing course later is possible, but harder. Systems calcify. Habits form. Expectations settle.

That is why civic education focuses on this window. Understanding it helps explain outcomes that may otherwise feel sudden or confusing years later.

Why This Matters For Voters After Election Day

Voting is not the finish line. It is the entry point.

When voters understand what happens after elections, it becomes easier to stay engaged without burning out. Engagement does not require constant attention. It requires timely attention.

Knowing when decisions are forming helps citizens show up when it counts. Public meetings. Early feedback. Asking informed questions. Tracking priorities as they take shape.

This is how participation restores confidence in the system. Not by reacting late, but by staying oriented early.

Stay informed with Arizona Clean Elections

Understanding governance is essential for meaningful participation in it. The Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission aims to assist voters even after Election Day. Through nonpartisan education, civic explanations and clear information about how government operates in Arizona, the Commission helps residents stay engaged throughout the entire democratic process.

Learning what occurs in the first 90 days of a term is just one step. Staying informed throughout the entire term is crucial for fostering sustained engagement.

FAQs

Why are the first 90 days important for elected officials

The first 90 days set staffing, priorities and operating norms that often shape the rest of a term.

Do voters have influence after an election is over

Yes. Early public engagement, meeting participation and feedback can carry significant weight as officials set direction.

What should voters pay attention to after Election Day?

Staffing announcements, early priorities, public meetings and how officials communicate and engage with the public.

February 10th - 2026