Interested in running for public office? Filing week starts May 11

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Those interested in running for any of the offices up for election in Whatcom County this November can file their declarations of candidacy starting on Monday, May 11.

The last day of this year’s candidate filing week will be Friday, May 15. County auditor Diana Bradrick advised prospective candidates, whether running for re-election or for the first time, to review the candidate filing guide available online at whatcomcounty.us.

The online guide contains information about the entire election process, spanning from before someone files to after their election is officially certified. Requirements can change from year to year, so this is an important resource, Bradrick said.

Online filing at whatcomcounty.us begins at 9 a.m. on May 11 and closes at 4 p.m. on May 15. “For candidates wishing to file in-person at the auditor’s office, they are advised to call the election division at 360/778-5102 to find out the current in-person filing procedure, said an April 24 news release issued by Bradrick’s office. In-person filing opens May 11 at 8:30 a.m. and ends May 15 at 4:30 p.m.

A candidate may also mail their declaration of candidacy form and filing fee to the auditor’s office. Filings must be received by mail no later than 4:30 p.m. on May 15. Any filing that was received before April 27, or that is received after the deadline, will be rejected and returned to the candidate.

In a separate news release on April 27, the Office of the Secretary of State (OSOS) encouraged prospective candidates to file online to help keep the public and staff safe.

Candidates for federal, statewide, and multi-county legislative or judicial offices must file with OSOS. “All other candidacies may file with the county elections office in which the position resides, except for some local races that cross multiple counties and require candidates to file in the county with more registered voters,” said the release.

More than 300 federal and state offices are up for election this year, including all U.S. representatives, statewide offices, the state house of representatives and half of the state senate. Citizens considering a run for state public office can download a candidate guide, read answers to frequently asked questions and learn more on the “Resources for Candidates” page on the secretary of state’s website, sos.wa.gov.

Primary election day is August 4 and election day is November 3, concurrent with the 2020 presidential election. Generally, the top two finishers in a primary race advance to the general election.

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