The Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) published an article by about elections in their blog on Mar. 1, 2023.
We are once again in an odd-numbered year when many local government elections are scheduled to take place. About half of councilmember positions in towns and cities will be up for election, as will any mayors who were recently appointed to their positions. Many board positions in special purpose districts are also up for election this year.
Although not all municipal elective offices involve opposed election races, the same filing requirements apply for all candidates. Many persons will consider running for office and may be encouraged to do so by their families, friends, and/or colleagues.
Whether you are a first-time candidate or already an elected official, the decision to run for election or reelection is a big one. Here are some tips and resources about running for local government office in our state.
Topics discussed in the article include:
- Requirements of the Office
- Eligibility to Hold Office
- Declaring Candidacy
- PDC Financial Disclosures
- 2023 Schedule: Filing, Voters’ Pamphlet Deadline, Elections
- Prohibition on Use of Public Facilities and Resources
- Additional Resources
Read the full article at this link.
About MRSC
The Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) is a nonprofit organization that helps local governments across Washington State better serve their communities by providing legal and policy guidance on any topic. At MRSC, we believe the most effective local government is a well-informed one, and as cities, counties, and special purpose districts face rapid changes and significant challenges, we are here to help.
[Ed. Note: We first encountered MRSC while serving on the Planning Commission in Oak Harbor. All of the members of the commission, as well as elected officials and the volunteers on various committees and commissions through out the state receive MRSC’s newsletters. We will share selected articles from MRSC’s newsletters that serve the interests of our readers.]
