Secretary of State announces candidate filing week

Those interested in running for public office can file from May 17 to 21 in their respective counties or other jurisdictions in which they seek election.

Filing instructions are available through those jurisdictions, too, according to the Secretary of State, which announced on Wednesday the candidate filing week.

More than 3,200 county offices are up for election, including more than 100 mayor and 500 fire district positions, as well as others in city, county, port, hospital, cemetery, airport, water, sewer, and park and recreation.

Two of the eight Court of Appeals and Superior Court judge races require candidates to file with the Secretary of State. Those people can file online from 9 a.m. May 17 to 4 p.m. May 21. Applicable filing fees must be paid when filing.

People also can download a Declaration of Candidacy form and mail it to Candidate Filing, Office of the Secretary of State, P.O. Box 40229, Olympia, WA, 98504-0229, or drop it off in person at the Washington State Elections Office (520 Union Ave. SE, Olympia, WA, 98501) during normal business hours. Filings and fees delivered by mail or in person must be received by 5 p.m. May 21.

Those who need in-person services and can’t file online can contact their county or state elections.

The Secretary of State oversees many state government’s operations, including elections. It also has resources for candidates on its website at www.sos.wa.gov/elections/candidates.

“People who run for public office and serve as an elected official have an opportunity to help shape the future of our state, counties, and communities,” said Secretary of State Kim Wyman in a statement. “Most of these offices up for election this year are local and have the greatest impact on people’s daily lives.”