Candidate filing week set for May 6-10

The window for candidates in Washington state to run for public office in the November election will open on Monday, May 6.

Candidate filing week will run through 5 p.m. on May 10. Interested residents can declare for more than 400 federal, state, judicial, legislative, county and other offices. This year’s ballot will include all statewide offices, all congressional seats, a seat in the U.S. Senate and a majority of the seats in the Washington Legislature. Locally, there will be two Lewis County commissioner positions on the ballot in addition to Lewis County Superior Court judicial seats and Republican and Democratic precinct committee officers.

For the first time this year, candidates for superior court and all legislative districts must file with the Office of the Secretary of State.

Candidates are encouraged to go to sos.wa.gov/elections/candidates/filing-resources/file-office and submit declarations online. Candidates can also print a declaration form online and mail it with a check payable to the “Office of the Secretary of State,” P.O. Box 40229, Olympia, WA, 98504-0229. State candidates may also file in person at the Secretary of State’s office in the Legislative Building, located at 416 Sid Snyder Ave. SW in Olympia.

“Filing for candidacy online is the easiest option, and you can do it from the convenience of home,” Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said in a statement. “This year, the candidate filing period is a week earlier than in prior years, so we’re providing notice to the public early to ensure everyone interested in running can get prepared.”

For more information, call the elections office at 800-448-4881 or email elections@sos.wa.gov .

“Serving as an elected official is an opportunity to help your community,” Hobbs said. “Holding office enables you to be involved with crucial decisions, whether at the local, state, or federal level.

The general election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 5. A top-two primary will be held on Aug. 6 to decide which two candidates advance to the general election in each race with three or more candidates.

For information specific to Lewis County, visit https://elections.lewiscountywa.gov/.