• Candidates may submit a declaration of candidacy by mail starting April 20.
• In-person filing begins May 4, 8:00 AM
• Online filing begins May 4, 8:00 AM
• Online filing ends May 8, 5:00 PM
• All candidate filings end May 8, 5:00 PM
• Deadline to submit candidate statement and photo: May 19, 5:00 PM.

How and where can I file? 

1. Online - fast and easy!

• File online at Online Candidate Filing
• Online is available only between May 4 at 8:00 am and May 8 at 5:00 pm. Sharp. Declarations must be submitted by 5:00 pm.

2. In person

• File here: San Juan County Elections Office 55 Second St., Ste A Friday Harbor, WA 98250
  Monday, May 4, 8:00 AM through Friday, May 8, 5:00 PM  

3. By mail 

(The filing office cannot accept filings prior to 10 business days (April 20, 2026) before the start of the filing week and must be in the office by the close of business on the last day of the filing period.)

Mail your declaration and filing fee to: (Make check out to SJC Treasurer)

San Juan County Election 
Candidate Filing 
P.O. Box 638 Friday Harbor, WA 98250

Candidate Filing Handbook and Forms 

• 2026 Candidate Guide and Administrative Rules
• Declaration of Candidacy
• Declaration of Write-in Candidacy
• PCO Declaration of Candidacy
• Filing Fee Petition (pdf)
• Withdrawal of Candidacy   Not allowed for a 3-day filing

Public Disclosure

The Washington State Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) is responsible for ensuring candidates and campaigns comply with campaign finance laws. The type of district and the amount of campaign monies collected determine the type and extent of a campaign's PDC reporting requirements

Reporting Requirements  
Most candidates must file PDC reports within two weeks of a formal declaration of candidacy or organization of a campaign committee. Refer to the table below for clarification on which reports are required. Candidates raising more than $5,000 file with the PDC, regardless of district size.

Where to Find and Submit PDC Reports 

Public Disclosure Commission 
711 Capitol Way S. #206, Olympia, WA 98504-0908 
Phone (360) 753-1111 | Fax (360) 753-1112 | Toll Free 1-877-601-2828 Website: pdc.wa.gov

PDC Electronic Filing

Write-in Candidates

Did you miss candidate filing week? You may file as a Write-in Candidate until 8 p.m. on Election Day. A fee is required if filing within 18 days of an election. RCW 29A.24.091

Write-in candidates. - WAC 434-215-180

A candidate desiring to file as a write-in candidate must file the write-in declaration of candidacy no later than 8:00 p.m. on election day. If a write-in declaration of candidacy is filed with the filing officer after the close of the regular candidate filing period per RCW 29A.24.050 and more than 18 days before a primary or election, no filing fee is required.

Candidates filing a write-in declaration of candidacy on or after the 18th day before a primary or election must pay a filing fee at the time of filing the declaration. Offices with a fixed annual salary of more than $1,000 must pay a filing fee equal to one percent of the annual salary at the time of the regular filing period as per RCW 29A.24.091. For all other offices, a filing fee of $25 is required.