Filing week starts May 17. Here’s what you need to know to run for office.

Those interested in running for public office need to keep an important date on their calendar: Filing week is Monday, May 17 through Friday, May 21 for positions open in the November election.

People who want to run, or re-run, must file their declaration of candidacy with the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office. In-person filing at the county auditor’s office will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, May 17, while online filing begins at 9 a.m. Declarations of candidacy must be filed online by 4 p.m. Friday, May 21, or in-person or by mail by 4:30 p.m. Friday. The auditor’s office also began accepting filings by mail May 3.

The primary election is August 3 and election day is November 2. The top two candidates who receive the most votes in the primary election will appear on ballots in November.

For more information, including the cost to file, contact the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office at 360/778-5102 or elections@co.whatcom.wa.us. Information is also available on the auditor’s office website at bit.ly/3uJXLUP.

The Whatcom County Auditor’s Office is located at 311 Grand Avenue, suite 103 in
Bellingham.

Whatcom County

Council at large Pos. A – 4-year term – Barry Buchanan

County council Dist. 1 – 4-year term – Rud Browne

County council Dist. 2 – 4-year term – Todd Donovan

County council Dist. 3 – 4-year term – Tyler Byrd

Port of Bellingham

Commissioner Position 1 – 4-year term – Michael Shepard

Commissioner Position 2 – 4-year term – Ken Bell

Blaine City Council

Council at large Pos. 7 – 4-year term* – Sukhwant Singh Gill

Council Ward 1 Pos. 2 – 4-year term – Bonnie Onyon

Council Ward 2 Pos. 4 – 4-year term – Charlie Hawkins

Council Ward 3 Pos. 6 – 4-year term – Eric Davidson

Blaine School District

Director Dist. 3 – 4-year term – Joan Lotze

Director Dist. 5 – 4-year term – Laura McKinney

Blaine-Birch Bay Park & Recreation District

Commissioner Pos. 1 – 4-year term* – Jesse Creydt

Commissioner Pos. 2 – 4-year term – Sheli Moore

Commissioner Pos. 4 – 4-year term – Billy Brown

Birch Bay Water & Sewer District

Commissioner Pos. 1 – 6-year term – Jeff Benner

Fire Protection District 21

Commissioner Pos. 1 – 6-year term – John Crawford

Commissioner Pos. 5 – 2-year unexpired term – Kimberly Calman-McMurray

*Short and full term

This article has been updated to include Fire Protection District 21 commissioner positions open in the November election.