If possible, you should begin planning your bid in the summertime, since you will have more time on your hands.  Make fliers and posters, and talk to your friends about possible strategies.  This can be fun.  Make funny photoshopped pictures and memes and share them with your friends. Think about funny ways to distribute fliers or places to put posters. Use the summer as an opportunity to branch out a little bit.  Participate in activities that might bring your into contact with new people.  Go to the library, go to concerts, and go to local parks. Tell all your friends that you want to become Homecoming King. Try to tell your acquaintances as well.  Be confident in your statements. if you are unsure about whether or not you should be king, other people will be unsure as well.  Don’t ask people if they will vote for you.  Say, “I’m trying to be Homecoming King this year”. You should be making a statement, not asking a question. Remember to tell your teachers as well.  If some of your teachers are the key decision-makers in deciding who gets nominated, tell them first. Sometimes committees are in charge of creating and collecting ballots. Sometimes this is the yearbook club, but it could also be your student council.  Leave no doubt in their minds about whether or not you are trying to become king.  You can try to befriend the committee members, but this is not necessary.  If it is too aggressive and sudden, it may also seem dishonest. If you are unsure of what committees are involved, you should ask a member of the yearbook club or a teacher.  Make sure to ask early, because there could be a deadline for applying. Homecoming is a football event, so making an appearance at games is necessary.  If you are not on a sports team, make sure that the football team knows that you support them by meeting them after the game.  Befriending football players will not seem like a dishonest political move.  Teams often vote together, and they are very protective of their friends. If you are friends with someone on the team, you can even go as far as to bring the team sports or energy drinks before and after the game.

Summary:
Start in the summer. Mention your bid early on. Figure out the nomination process. Attend sports games and encourage the football team.