Submitted by San Juan County
If you have ever wanted to be an elected official, now is your chance. Candidate filing for positions open for election in 2019 is about to begin.
During filing week, candidates may submit their filings online, by email, by fax, or in person at the San Juan County Elections Office at 55 Second Street Ste. A, Friday Harbor. Online candidate filing will be available Monday, May 13, at 9 a.m. through Friday, May 17 at 4 p.m. In-person, emailed and faxed filings will be accepted Monday, May 13, at 8 a.m. through Friday, May 17 at 4:30 p.m.
Mail-in filings will be accepted no earlier than Monday, April 29 and will be processed on May 13. Mailed filings will be accepted if they are received at the Elections Office no later than Friday, May 17. If filing by mail, forms should be mailed to San Juan County Auditor, Elections Office, PO Box 638, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.
The best way to file is online. Candidates who file online will receive not only confirmation of their filing, but also updates when other candidates file for that office. Candidates can file from home on their personal computers or on a computer at the Elections Office. To file online, go to the Elections webpage at and navigate to “Candidate Filing Online” under “Candidate Information.” Candidates filing for Federal or State offices will file with the Secretary of State.
Filing fees are required for offices with compensation. If a filing fee is required, the filing fee must be received by Friday, May 17, at 4:30 p.m. Filings will not be processed until the filing fee is received. Once paid, filing fees are non-refundable.
Most races with more than two candidates will appear on the Aug. 6 primary ballot, and races with only one or two candidates will go directly to the Nov. 5 general election ballot. Partisan offices appear on the primary ballot even if there is only one candidate. Commissioners for park and recreation districts and for cemetery districts go directly to the general, regardless of the number of candidates.
For more information about filing, call the Elections Office at 360-378-3357 or email elections@sanjuanco.com.
