2020 Candidate Filing Workshop
Candidate Filing Week 2020 Due to the spread of the COVID-19 Virus, the Auditor’s Office will not be open to the public during filing week. • We are asking candidates to file online at VoteWA.gov • You may still file on paper. • Paper forms will be available outside Building 1 of the Courthouse by April 30. • Paper forms may be returned to the auditor’s office via the election’s drop box in the courthouse parking lot. • We are still here to help! • Contact us at 360.786.5408 or email us at elections@co.thurston.wa.us
Are you ready to file? • Candidate Guide • Filing Week May 11 - 15, 2020 • Voters’ Pamphlet Deadlines • Additional Candidate Information
All of the information candidates need to file can be found on the “Candidates & Jurisdictions” page.
2020 Candidate Guide • Offices up for Election 2020 • Candidate Qualifications & Other Useful Information • 2020 Key Filing Dates & Election Calendar • Filing for Office • Local Voters’ Pamphlet Information * Format has changed for 2020! • Political Signs (State, County, Cities & Towns) • Guidelines: Voting Center & Ballot drop boxes • Additional Contact information • Ballot Drop Box locations
Candidate Qualifications Minimum Qualifications for Filing as a Candidate In order to qualify for filing as a candidate, you must meet the following requirements: • Be a registered voter and possess the qualifications for the office at the time of filing. • Some races require age requirements
Candidate Qualifications County Commissioner, Districts 1 & 2 • Must reside and be a registered voter in the district • In the Primary, only voters within the district will vote • In the General Election, all voters within the county will vote
Candidate Qualifications PUD Commissioner, District 3 • Must reside and be a registered voter in the district • In the Primary, only voters within the district will vote • In the General Election, all voters within the county will vote
Candidate Qualifications Precinct Committee Officers File during filing week May 11 -15. If you have questions about what PCO’s do, contact your local party. Thurston County Democratic Party • Phone: 360.956.0235 • Email: info@thurstondemocrats.org • Web: www.thurstondemocrats.org Thurston County Republican Party • Phone: 360.412.8087 • Email: info@thurstonrepublicans.com • Web: thurstonrepublicans.com
Filing Week: May 11 - 15 • Mail: April 27 – must be in Auditor’s Office no later than 4:30 p.m. May 15 • Online: 9:00 a.m. May 11 – 4:00 p.m. May 15 • Go to VoteWa.gov to file for office • For detailed instructions, please see our other power point Online Candidate filing available at ThurstonVotes.org • All filings (including filing fee) must be received by 4:30 p.m. May 15 • Last day to withdraw is May 18 and must be in writing (filing fees are non- refundable) • In-person filing –The office is closed to the public. We will be available to offer assistance or accept filing fee petitions by appointment only.
Get started now! Is your voter registration current? Start thinking about your candidate statement and photo Have you thought about campaign contact information? • Campaign name, phone number, email address, website, and mail address
Candidate Order on Ballot Partisan Offices • A “lot draw” determines candidate order. The state does a lot draw for candidates that file with them and Thurston County does their lot draw for their candidates. Occurs May 15, shortly after 4:30 • Top two primary candidates move forward to the General Election • Order on General Election ballot is based on number of votes received in the Primary Election (or by the lot draw if not in Primary) Judicial Offices (rules vary depending on the office, contact us for more information.) PCO • If only one candidate files per party per precinct they are deemed elected at the close of filing week. • If 2 candidates file per party per precinct, they will appear on the Primary Election ballot and the winner is elected upon certification. • PCO’s do not appear on the General Election ballot
Voters’ Pamphlet Statements and photos are due May 22 by 4:30 p.m. **This does not apply to PCO’s Candidate statements are published as submitted (no changes after submission!). The same statement and photo will appear in both the Primary and General Election local voters’ pamphlets.
Voters’ Pamphlet Statement and photo due by May 22 at 4:30 p.m. Photo Guidelines • Current photo with only head and shoulders Statement • 200 words or less (we use Microsoft Word to count) • Plain background • Four paragraphs or less • Do not use lists or bullets • No props or uniforms • Underlining and all caps will be converted to italics • No smaller than 1200 x 1500 pixels Biography How to Submit Biographical information must be 100 words and Submit electronically using the link provided by on should be organized in accordance with the four VoteWA.gov, email to pamphlet@co.thurston.wa.us, subsection headings listed below. Subsection headings or drop off a CD/flash drive at the Auditor’s Office are not included in the word count. Drop Box. • Elected Experience When a candidate doesn’t submit information for a • Other Experience particular subsection heading, “No information • Education submitted” will appear in that subsection area. • Community Service
Why wait? File for office online at any time during Filing Week, May 11-15. Go to VoteWA.gov You will be sent a link to upload your photo and statement after your filing is approved.
VoteWA.gov
Any questions? Thurston County Elections pamphlet@co.thurston.wa.us 360.786.5408 Thank you for attending and good luck in your campaign!
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