Candidate Filing FAQ
2018 Candidate Filing begins Monday, May 14th and ends Friday, May 18th.
Key Dates for Candidate Filing
- April 30 - First day filing officer may receive candidate declarations by mail
- May 14 - Official Candidate Filing Week opens
- May 18 - Final day for all candidates to file for office
- May 21 - Candidate withdrawal deadline
- May 22 - Last day for Secretary of State to certify candidates to County Auditors
- May 25 - Candidate statements & photographs for state Voters'' Pamphlet due
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the required qualifications to be a candidate?
You must be a registered voter and possess the qualifications specified by law. Most offices require the candidate to be registered within the district. Exceptions are US Congress and Superior Court.
If a candidate must be selected by voters from a geographic subdivision of a jurisdiction in the primary, the candidate must be properly registered to vote within that subdivision. RCW 29A.24.075
Contact the jurisdiction of the office to learn if there are additional qualifications.
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Where can I file for office?
The Secretary of State accepts candidate filings for federal and statewide executive offices, and for any legislative, court of appeals, and superior court office serving more than one county.
Your county elections department accepts filings for all other offices. Online filing is not available at all county elections departments. Contact your county elections department for directions and hours of operation.
For a list of State offices: https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/candidates/Offices-Open-for-Election.aspx
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How and where can I file for office?
Candidate filing week - May 14-18
1. Online – fast and easy!
File online at: https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/candidates/Online-Candidate-Filing.aspx
Online filing begins May 14 at 9am and ends May 18 at 4pm. Pay your filing fee online with Visa, MasterCard or American Express.
2. In person
If you file with the Secretary of State, file here:
Washington Secretary of State’s Office
Legislative Building
416 Sid Snyder Ave SW
Olympia, WA 98504
Monday, May 14, 8am through Friday, May 18, 5pm
If you file with your county auditor’s office, you can find the address here:
http://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/auditors
3. By mail (can only be received up to 10 business days before the start of filing week)
If you file with the Secretary of State, mail your declaration and filing fee to:
Candidate Filing
Office of the Secretary of State
P.O. Box 40229
Olympia, WA 98504-0229
If you file with your county auditor’s office, you can find the mailing address here:
http://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/auditors
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When can I file for office?
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Candidates may submit by mail
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Starting April 30
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In-person filing begins
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May 14, 8am
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Online filing begins
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May 14, 9am
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Online filing ends
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May 18, 4pm
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All candidate filing ends
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May 18, 5pm
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Last day to withdraw from ballot
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May 21, close of business
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How much does it cost to file for office?
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What are the accepted forms of payment?
Online filing for state offices requires a Visa, MasterCard or American Express.
If you file in person or by mail with the Office of the Secretary of State, pay via:
- Check
- Cash
- Visa, MasterCard or American Express
- Money order
- Valid filing fee petition
For all other offices contact your county elections department (http://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/auditors) to determine payment methods available.
Filing fee petitions-
Candidates without sufficient assets or income to pay the filing fee may submit a filing fee petition.
Candidates submitting petition signatures may not file electronically. Filing fees may not be paid by combining petition signatures and currency. Only signatures of registered voters in the same jurisdiction as the office are valid. For more information about filing fee petitions, please review the Candidate Filing Guide.
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How is the order of candidates determined?
Candidate order is determined by lot draw. This will happen after candidate filing ends at 5pm on May 18. A random order will be created and then applied to the candidates that have filed for each office.
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How can I withdraw my candidacy?
If you decide you do not want your name on the ballot, your signed withdrawal form must be received by the office where you filed by the end of business on Monday, May 21.
Candidate withdrawal forms are available at http://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/CandidateFiling.aspx
Filing fees are nonrefundable, even if you filed for the wrong office. (RCW 29A.24.131)
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How do I submit my Voters’ Pamphlet statement and photo?
We recommend you submit your Voters’ Pamphlet information with your declaration and filing fee. All submissions are done online.
If you file online, you will be directed to submit your statement and photo after you’ve completed your office filing.
If you file in person or by mail, you will receive an email with a link included to allow you access to the online submission tool.
The deadline to submit for the Voters’ Pamphlet is 5 pm on May 25.
For submission specifications, please read the Voters’ Pamphlet instructions in the Candidate Filing Guide, starting on page 9.
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Do I have to file my campaign finance information?
Candidates for state or local office should refer to the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission for reporting requirements. Forms and information are available at www.pdc.wa.gov
Candidates for U.S. Senate or U.S. House of Representatives must report campaign finance information to the Federal Election Commission at www.fec.gov
Your campaign finance information is public information. A link to your campaign finance information will appear on your page in the online voters’ guide.
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Can I post campaign signs?
Please contact the respective agency or department about sign restrictions, permits, and deposits.
State - Department of Transportation - www.wsdot.wa.gov
County - Public works or transportation department
City - City clerk’s office
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What is public record?
- All approved candidate declarations
- Voter pamphlet submissions
- Campaign contact information
- Public disclosure commission documents
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