From Doris Schaller, San Juan County Elections Supervisor
Ever thought of running for public office? Several local elected offices, as well as State and Federal offices, will be up for election this year.
There are three ways to file for office. The Elections Office will accept online candidate filings beginning Monday, June 7 at 9 a.m., through Friday, June 11 at 4 p.m. In-person filings will be accepted Monday, June 7 at 8 a.m. through Friday, June 11 at 4:30 p.m. Mail-in filings will be accepted no earlier than Friday, May 21, for processing on June 7, and must be received by Friday, June 11.
Candidates wanting their name to appear on the ballot this election season should consider filing online. Candidates who file online will receive not only confirmation of their filing, but also updates when other candidates file for that office. Candidates will be able to file using their personal computers or a computer set up in the Elections Office. Filing online is also the only way to pay the filing fee by credit card. To file online, go to the County Elections webpage (www.sanjuanco.com/elections) and click on “Candidate Filing Online” on the left side of the page.
If filing by mail, send forms to San Juan County Auditor, Elections Office, PO Box 638, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. To file in person, take forms to the Elections Office, 55 2nd Street, Friday Harbor. In either case, payment of any required filing fees must be received by 4:30 on Friday, June 11.
The Top 2 Primary in Washington State is August 17. The Top 2 Primary was adopted by citizen initiative in 2004 and has been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. When filing for a partisan office, the Declaration of Candidacy form will allow candidates to self-describe their political preference. This will not mean that the person is nominated by or supported by a party. In the Top 2 Primary, voters choose their favorite for each office without regard to party, and the top two vote-getters advance to the General Election. (Note that all local offices, except Prosecuting Attorney, are nonpartisan.)
The following are offices opened for this election season. Candidates filing for Federal or State offices will file with the Secretary of State. Those interested in running for office are encouraged to call the Elections Offices at (360) 378-3357 for more information.
Federal Offices:
- U.S Senator, Partisan – 6 year term – $1,740.00 filing fee
- U.W. Congressional District 2, Partisan – 2 year term – $1,740.00 filing fee
Washington State Offices:
- State Representative Leg. Dist 40 Pos.1, Partisan– 2 year term – 421.06filing fee
- State Representative Leg. Dist 40 Pos. 2, Partisan – 2 year term – 421.06 filing fee
- Supreme Court Justice Position 1 – 6 year term – $1,642.21 filing fee
- Supreme Court Justice Position 5 – 6 year term – $1,642.21 filing fee
- Supreme Court Justice Position 6 – 6 year term – $1,642.21 filing fee
San Juan County Offices:
- Superior Court Judge, Nonpartisan – 2 year unexpired term – $1,488.32 filing fee
- District Court Judge, Nonpartisan – 4 year term – $1,091.17
- County Council Member District 2, Nonpartisan – 4 year term – $337.18 filing fee
- County Council Member District 5, Nonpartisan – 4 year term – $337.18 filing fee
- County Council Member District 6, Nonpartisan – 4 year term – $337.18
- Assessor, Nonpartisan – 4 year term – $722.55 filing fee
- Auditor, Nonpartisan – 4 year term – $722.55 filing fee
- Clerk, Nonpartisan – 4 year term – $22.55 filing fee
- Prosecuting Attorney, Partisan – 4 year term – $1,299.32 filing fee
- Sheriff, Nonpartisan – 4 year term – 4 year term – $975.14 filing fee
- Treasurer, Nonpartisan – 4 year term – $722.55 filing fee
- Precinct Committee Officers – 2 year term – no filing fee
