Interested in running for office in Washington’s cities or towns?
Read AWC’s guide So you want to be an elected official… Practical information for people running for office in Washington’s cities and towns.
Cities can also access a printable version of the guide to make available at city hall or post it to their website. It provides general information about how to work as part of a team, what cities do, roles and responsibilities, and where to find more information. We encourage you to give this guide to potential candidates for city elected office.
Tips for the 2025 election cycle
Once you decide to run for office, go to the Public Disclosure Commission's (PDC) website and review your filing requirements.
Use the Secretary of State’s (SOS) website to see if your county has candidate workshops where you can learn how to run for office. A list of county auditors can also be found there.
For further information, the candidate filing FAQ on the SOS website is a terrific place for research.
Where to file
Visit Washington’s SOS website to find contact information for all county elections departments in the state. While many counties accept filings online or in person, some counties do not offer an online filing option. Contact your county elections department to determine what options are available to you.
What you’ll need
- Filing fee (if applicable)
- Photograph, statement, and biography to include in voters’ pamphlet
Important dates in 2025
April 21 – First day mail-in candidate filings accepted (Filings received before April 21 are not accepted)
May 5 – First day of official Candidate Filing Week (online and in-person candidate filing begins)
May 9 – Last day to file for office
May 12 – Last day to withdraw candidacy
May 20 – Last day to submit necessary materials for voters’ pamphlet
August 5 – Primary election
November 4 – General election
Save the date! AWC’s Elected Officials Essentials Workshop
December 6 | Mulitple locations and online
This Saturday training is available for newly elected mayors, councilmembers, and those currently in office. The content covers important information about roles and responsibilities, and basic legal obligations and liabilities. Watch our website for more information
as the date approaches.