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Washington candidate resources

Pick your county to see what running for office takes.

A plain-language guide to getting on the ballot in every Washington county. Washington runs a top-two primary, so party labels are self-declared and every candidate faces the same May filing week. Each guide covers the declaration of candidacy, the 1% filing fee, the signature alternative, and your county Auditor's contact card. Click the map or use the list.

Adams County — how to run for office Asotin County — how to run for office Benton County — how to run for office Chelan County — how to run for office Clallam County — how to run for office Clark County — how to run for office Columbia County — how to run for office Cowlitz County — how to run for office Douglas County — how to run for office Ferry County — how to run for office Franklin County — how to run for office Garfield County — how to run for office Grant County — how to run for office Grays Harbor County — how to run for office Island County — how to run for office Jefferson County — how to run for office King County — how to run for office Kitsap County — how to run for office Kittitas County — how to run for office Klickitat County — how to run for office Lewis County — how to run for office Lincoln County — how to run for office Mason County — how to run for office Okanogan County — how to run for office Pacific County — how to run for office Pend Oreille County — how to run for office Pierce County — how to run for office San Juan County — how to run for office Skagit County — how to run for office Skamania County — how to run for office Snohomish County — how to run for office Spokane County — how to run for office Stevens County — how to run for office Thurston County — how to run for office Wahkiakum County — how to run for office Walla Walla County — how to run for office Whatcom County — how to run for office Whitman County — how to run for office Yakima County — how to run for office

All 39 Washington counties. Click any county for its guide.

All 39 Washington counties

Alphabetical. Each links to that county’s “how to run for office” guide.

Adams County Asotin County Benton County Chelan County Clallam County Clark County Columbia County Cowlitz County Douglas County Ferry County Franklin County Garfield County Grant County Grays Harbor County Island County Jefferson County King County Kitsap County Kittitas County Klickitat County Lewis County Lincoln County Mason County Okanogan County Pacific County Pend Oreille County Pierce County San Juan County Skagit County Skamania County Snohomish County Spokane County Stevens County Thurston County Wahkiakum County Walla Walla County Whatcom County Whitman County Yakima County

The 2027 ballot in Washington.

These 2027 dates are confirmed against the state's own published calendar or statute. Anything our research could not confirm is left off this page rather than estimated.

  • August 3, 2027 Primary — Local. Top-two primary for local offices where three or more candidates file.
    Candidate filing: opens May 3, 2027, closes May 7, 2027.
    Source
  • November 2, 2027 General — Local. Local general election: city and town mayors and councils, school boards, port, fire, hospital, water-sewer and other special district commissioners, and charter-county offices on the odd-year cycle.
    Candidate filing: opens May 3, 2027, closes May 7, 2027.
    Source 1 · Source 2

2027 dates can move, and a municipality can change its own election date by ordinance. Which seats are on a given ballot depends on when each was last filled. Confirm anything you are relying on with the county election office before you act on it.

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