Registered voters interested in running for a public office at the county, state or federal level must make their intent known during filing week, May 16-20.
Eligible Whatcom County residents may run for a number of seats this election season, from prosecuting attorney and district judge positions at the county level to Patty Murray’s U.S. Senate seat. Those seeking a county-level seat must file to appear on the ballot with the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office, while state or federal office-seekers must file with the Secretary of State.
Most Skagit County positions are up for election in 2022, including all district judge seats; the sheriff, the treasurer and the prosecuting attorney; and one of three Skagit County commissioners.
Some residents of Whatcom, Skagit and San Juan counties will be eligible to run for state House seats in four legislative districts.
One notable election this year in the state Senate happens in the 42nd Legislative District in Whatcom County. Several candidates have already lined up to replace Republican Sen. Doug Ericksen, who died in December 2021 following a COVID-19 diagnosis.
Those who want to be on the ballot must pay a filing fee equal to 1% of the position’s annual salary for offices that pay more than $1,000 a year. (That fee would be $1,740 for those who seek Sen. Murray’s seat.)
More information, including who is eligible to run for office, can be found at skagitcounty.net/Departments/AuditorElections/filing.htm (Skagit County) or whatcomcounty.us/1574/Elections (Whatcom County).
