Want To Run For Office In King County? Here's How To Get Started

RENTON, WA — King County Elections has scheduled several workshops in the coming weeks, hoping to encourage and equip newcomers thinking of seeking public office for the first time.

The first of four virtual workshops will take place on March 16, followed by three more sessions planned through April. According to county officials, more than 330 offices will up for election this year, and the workshops are designed to help "demystify" the process for new candidates.

"We know that one of the key reasons people don't vote in local elections is because they don't see candidates on the ballot who look like them or represent their community," said Julie Wise, director of King County Elections. "Running for office takes a tremendous amount of courage, and even the most technical parts of the process can be intimidating. We want to make things as easy as possible."

Here are the dates and times for the four upcoming candidate workshops:

• Tuesday, March 16, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
• Thursday, April 1, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
• Saturday, April 17, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Thursday, April 29, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Each workshop will cover a wide range of topics, including the elections calendar, deadlines, filing fees, voters' pamphlets and more. Participants will also have time to get their questions answered directly from the experts.

This year's candidate filing period opens on Monday, May 17, and closes Friday, May 21.

Find more resources for new candidates, or register for one of the upcoming workshops on the King County Elections website.