Candidate Filing Week
May 15 - 19, 2023
When to File
Online filing:
- Begins at 9:00 a.m. Monday, May 15
- Closes promptly at 4:00 p.m. Friday, May 19
In-person and drive-thru filing:
Begins at 8:00 a.m. Monday, May 15 and ends Friday, May 19 at 4:30 p.m.
-
2400 Evergreen Park Drive SW
Olympia, WA 98502
(map)
By fax or email:
- Begins at 8:00 a.m. Monday, May 15
- Must be received in the Auditor's Office by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 19
- 360.754.4591 or elections@co.thurston.wa.us
By mail:
- Beginning Monday, May 1
- Must be received in the Auditor's Office and filing fee paid by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 19
Mailing Address:
Thurston County Elections
2000 Lakeridge Drive SW
Olympia, WA 98502
Download Declaration of Candidacy Form:
Benefits of Online Filing
Email notifications:
- When filing is approved
- If another candidate files for the same position
- Whether candidate participates in the Primary or General Election
- Link to upload your voters' pamphlet statement and photo
Responsibilities
Make sure you:
- Read all instructions carefully
- Pay your filing fee or have petition submitted before May 19 deadline
- File before the deadlines:
- Online filing closes promptly at 4:00 p.m. Friday, May 19
- In person filing closes promptly at 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 19
- Mailed filings must be in our office by 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 19
Contact our office at 360.786.5408 or Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing: 711 Washington Relay
*All information provided is public record.
Candidate Ballot Order
The order of candidates on the Primary ballot or candidates moving directly to the General in Thurston County will be determined by random lot draw as required by RCW 29A.36.131. The random lot draw will be held shortly after 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 19.
The Thurston County Elections Office is located at:
2400 Evergreen Park Drive SW (The old Twin Star Credit Union building)
Olympia, WA 98502
(map)
Candidates or other interested parties are welcome to attend.
For candidates on the Primary ballot, ballot order during the November General Election is determined by results of the Primary. The candidate with the most votes in the Primary is listed first.
Precinct Committee Officer (PCO)
This office is not included in the Local Voters' Pamphlet.
If a Future Voter will be 18 by the day of an August Primary in even years, they can file to be a PCO during normal filing week. Anyone who is a registered voter may file for PCO. A candidate must file a Precinct Committee Officer Declaration of Candidacy form. Since voters do not register by political party in Washington, a candidate declares themselves to be a member of a political party at the time of filing.
Precinct Committee Officers are elected during even years at the August Primary Election.
Since write-in candidates are not allowed for PCO races, if only one person files for office, they are deemed elected. If no one files for office, the position can be filled by the political party.