- Home
- Government
- Departments A-G
- Auditor
- Elections
- Candidates
2019 Filing Week is May 13 - 17
2018 Election Guide for Candidates is a must read if you are planning to run for office or are responsible for a campaign. Learn about filing for office, submitting a voters' pamphlet statement, residency requirements, and much more.
(2019 Election Guide for Candidate available early 2019.)
(2019 Election Guide for Candidate available early 2019.)
2019 Open Offices (Not final, subject to change)
A lot draw to determine the order candidates will appear on the ballot occurs after the close of filing on Friday, May 17, 2019. The process is open to the public and begins after the candidate filings have been proofed for accuracy. (Approximately 4:45 PM)
A lot draw to determine the order candidates will appear on the ballot occurs after the close of filing on Friday, May 17, 2019. The process is open to the public and begins after the candidate filings have been proofed for accuracy. (Approximately 4:45 PM)
File Online - Monday May 13 at 9 AM - Friday, May 17 4 PM
File In Person - May 13 at 8:30 AM - Friday, May 17 4:30 PM using a computer kiosk at the Pierce County Election Center, 2501 S 35th Street, Suite C, Tacoma, WA 98409
PC or laptop use recommended for online filing. Read all information below and under the Voters' Pamphlet tab above before filing for office.
Need help filing for office? (253) 798-VOTE (8683)
Be prepared to:
- Pay filing fee online with Visa, MasterCard, or American Express or pay by cash or check. Your name will not appear on any official list as a candidate for office until your filing is approved and your filing fee is paid.
- Provide an email address.
- Use a campaign mailing address, phone number, and website address when you file for office. If you don't, your voter registration address will be published online in the list of candidates who have filed.
- Submit your voters' pamphlet information online when you file for office. A link will be emailed if you choose to submit later. Deadline is 4:30 PM, May 24.
The offices listed below file for office through Pierce County:
- Port of Tacoma Commissioners
- City and Town Mayors and Council Members
- School District Directors
- Fire Protection District Commissioners
- Park and Recreation District Commissioners
- Water District Commissioners
- Sewer District Commissioners
The offices listed below file for office through:
King County- City of Auburn, City of Pacific, Auburn SD No. 408 (Included in both Pierce and King County pamphlets. See King County for King County pamphlet requirements.)
Thurston County
- Yelm Community Schools (Included in both Pierce and Thurston County pamphlets. See Thurston County for Thurston County pamphlet requirements.)
PC or laptop use recommended.
The voters' pamphlet submittal process needs to be completed in one sitting. There is not an option to "save" and come back and finish. Have your biography information, statement, and photo ready before you start the pamphlet submittal process.
Voters' pamphlet information will only be accepted through the online submittal process. Submit your voters' pamphlet information online when you file for office or if you choose to submit later, you will receive an email with a link for submitting your photo and statement. Must be submitted online by Friday, May 24 at 4:30 p.m.
Please prepare the following in advance:
1. Biography - Word limit - 100
The biographical information must be 100 words or less allocated between four subsection headings.
Biographical information should be organized in accordance with the four subsection headings listed below. Subsection headings are not included in the word count.
2. Statement - Word limit - 200 (4 paragraphs breaks allowed)
The voters' pamphlet submittal process needs to be completed in one sitting. There is not an option to "save" and come back and finish. Have your biography information, statement, and photo ready before you start the pamphlet submittal process.
Please prepare the following in advance:
1. Biography - Word limit - 100
The biographical information must be 100 words or less allocated between four subsection headings.
Biographical information should be organized in accordance with the four subsection headings listed below. Subsection headings are not included in the word count.
- Elected Experience.
- Other Professional Experience.
- Education.
- Community Service.
2. Statement - Word limit - 200 (4 paragraphs breaks allowed)
Each part of a hyphenated or slashed word will be counted as a separate word. (Example - "Around-the-corner" = 3 words)
3. Photo- You may submit one portrait photo. (Head and shoulders) For best results use a light-colored background, (not white).
- Photos should be less than 1 MB in size. 450 x 600 pixels image size, jpeg or .tiff (large photos take too long to load for the online guide.)
- Clothing or insignia that suggest holding a public office are not allowed (e.g., judicial robes, law enforcement or military uniforms).
- Color or black and white photo. (Color will be used in the online guide, and converted to black and white for the printed Local Voters' Pamphlet.)
Candidate photos from previous Local Voters’ Pamphlets are not available for reuse.
Public Disclosure Commission
Candidates are advised to verify that they are in compliance with all state, county, and local laws.
Withdrawal of Candidacy Monday, May 20, 2019, 4:30 PM, is the deadline for a candidate to withdrawal. Filing fee is not refundable.
Archived Election Information
Looking for examples of candidate statements? See voters' pamphlets from previous elections.
Candidates are advised to verify that they are in compliance with all state, county, and local laws.
Withdrawal of Candidacy Monday, May 20, 2019, 4:30 PM, is the deadline for a candidate to withdrawal. Filing fee is not refundable.
Archived Election Information
Looking for examples of candidate statements? See voters' pamphlets from previous elections.