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Chapter 434-215 WAC

Last Update: 1/10/24

DECLARATIONS OF CANDIDACY AND FILING PROCEDURES

(Formerly chapter 434-228 WAC)

WAC Sections

HTMLPDF434-215-005Filing information—Questionnaire—Compiling and dissemination.
HTMLPDF434-215-012Declaration of candidacy.
HTMLPDF434-215-015Write-in declaration of candidacy.
HTMLPDF434-215-021Declaration of candidacy—Precinct committee officer.
HTMLPDF434-215-024Insufficient payment of a filing fee.
HTMLPDF434-215-025Filing fee petitions.
HTMLPDF434-215-040Online filing—Contingency plan.
HTMLPDF434-215-050Use of title, rank, or symbols prohibited.
HTMLPDF434-215-060Duplication of names.
HTMLPDF434-215-065Withdrawal of candidacy.
HTMLPDF434-215-070Electronic filing—Requirements.
HTMLPDF434-215-110Electronic filing—Interlocal agreements.
HTMLPDF434-215-120Political party preference by candidate for partisan office.
HTMLPDF434-215-130Minor political party candidates and independent candidates.
HTMLPDF434-215-165Presidential nominations by major political parties.
HTMLPDF434-215-170Filing qualifications.
HTMLPDF434-215-180Write-in candidates.
DISPOSITION OF SECTIONS FORMERLY CODIFIED IN THIS TITLE
434-215-020Declaration of candidacy—Precinct committee officer. [Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 09-18-098, § 434-215-020, filed 9/1/09, effective 10/2/09; WSR 08-15-052, § 434-215-020, filed 7/11/08, effective 8/11/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 2006 c 344. WSR 07-09-035, § 434-215-020, filed 4/11/07, effective 5/12/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 06-14-049, § 434-215-020, filed 6/28/06, effective 7/29/06. WSR 02-09-007, recodified as § 434-215-020, filed 4/4/02, effective 4/4/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 29.04.080, 29.04.210, 29.36.150 and 29.79.200. WSR 97-21-045, recodified as § 434-228-020, filed 10/13/97, effective 11/13/97. Statutory Authority: 1990 c 59. WSR 92-12-083, § 434-28-020, filed 6/2/92, effective 7/3/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 29.04.080. WSR 84-15-050 (Order 84-2), § 434-28-020, filed 7/16/84; Order 75-1, § 434-28-020, filed 6/26/75.] Repealed by WSR 11-24-064, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630.
434-215-080Electronic filing—Eligible jurisdictions. [Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 05-17-145, § 434-215-080, filed 8/19/05, effective 9/19/05. Statutory Authority: 2002 c 140 § 3. WSR 02-15-156, § 434-215-080, filed 7/23/02, effective 8/23/02.] Repealed by WSR 09-18-098, filed 9/1/09, effective 10/2/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611.
434-215-090Electronic filing—Required information. [Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 05-17-145, § 434-215-090, filed 8/19/05, effective 9/19/05. Statutory Authority: 2002 c 140 § 3. WSR 02-15-156, § 434-215-090, filed 7/23/02, effective 8/23/02.] Repealed by WSR 10-03-072, filed 1/18/10, effective 2/18/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611.
434-215-140Voids in candidacy and vacancies in office. [Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 08-15-052, § 434-215-140, filed 7/11/08, effective 8/11/08.] Repealed by WSR 11-24-064, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630.
434-215-150No major party ticket. [Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 08-15-052, § 434-215-150, filed 7/11/08, effective 8/11/08.] Repealed by WSR 14-06-040, filed 2/26/14, effective 3/29/14. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611.
434-215-160Ranked choice voting. [Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 08-15-052, § 434-215-160, filed 7/11/08, effective 8/11/08.] Repealed by WSR 10-14-091, filed 7/6/10, effective 8/6/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.08.420, 29A.24.131, 29A.40.110, 29A.46.020, and 29A.80.041.

PDF434-215-005

Filing information—Questionnaire—Compiling and dissemination.

(1) Prior to February 1, the county auditor shall send a questionnaire to the administrative authority of each local jurisdiction for which the auditor is the candidate filing officer subject to the provisions of RCW 29A.04.321 and 29A.04.330. The questionnaire must be sent during the twelve months before the local jurisdiction is scheduled to elect officers. The purpose of the questionnaire shall be to confirm information which the auditor must use to properly conduct candidate filings for each office. The questionnaire should request, at a minimum, confirmation of offices to be filled at the general election that year, the name of the incumbent, and the annual salary for the position at the time of the filing period. Responses should be received prior to March 1 of that year so that the filing information can be compiled and disseminated to the public at least two weeks prior to the candidate filing period.
(2) If a jurisdiction fails to notify the county auditor prior to the regular candidate filing period that an office is to be filled at the general election and therefore the office is not included in the regular candidate filing period, the county auditor shall:
(a) Open the position during the remainder of the regular filing period if the county auditor is notified in time to provide at least three days in the regular filing period. The county auditor must post information online and notify the press; or
(b) Open the position during a special three-day filing period and treat the election as though there is a void in candidacy per RCW 29A.24.181.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 19-12-115, § 434-215-005, filed 6/5/19, effective 7/6/19. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630. WSR 11-24-064, § 434-215-005, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.08.420, 29A.24.131, 29A.40.110, 29A.46.020, and 29A.80.041. WSR 10-14-091, § 434-215-005, filed 7/6/10, effective 8/6/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 09-12-078, § 434-215-005, filed 5/29/09, effective 6/29/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 2006 c 344. WSR 07-09-035, § 434-215-005, filed 4/11/07, effective 5/12/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 06-14-049, § 434-215-005, filed 6/28/06, effective 7/29/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.610. WSR 04-15-089, § 434-215-005, filed 7/16/04, effective 8/16/04. WSR 02-09-007, recodified as § 434-215-005, filed 4/4/02, effective 4/4/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 29.04.080, 29.04.210, 29.36.150 and 29.79.200. WSR 97-21-045, § 434-228-005, filed 10/13/97, effective 11/13/97.]


PDF434-215-012

Declaration of candidacy.

Declarations of candidacy filed either in person or by mail shall be in substantially the following form:
The filing officer must provide a paper or electronic copy of the filed declaration of candidacy to the candidate and to the public disclosure commission.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.24.091, 29A.24.311, 29A.60.021, 29A.60.185, 29A.60.170, 29A.60.110, and 29A.60.235. WSR 19-01-102, § 434-215-012, filed 12/18/18, effective 1/18/19. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611 and 29A.04.620. WSR 16-13-063, § 434-215-012, filed 6/13/16, effective 7/14/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 10-03-072, § 434-215-012, filed 1/18/10, effective 2/18/10; WSR 08-15-052, § 434-215-012, filed 7/11/08, effective 8/11/08; WSR 06-14-049, § 434-215-012, filed 6/28/06, effective 7/29/06. Statutory Authority: 2002 c 140 § 3. WSR 02-15-156, § 434-215-012, filed 7/23/02, effective 8/23/02. WSR 02-09-007, recodified as § 434-215-012, filed 4/4/02, effective 4/4/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 29.04.080, 29.04.210, 29.36.150 and 29.79.200. WSR 97-21-045, recodified as § 434-228-012, filed 10/13/97, effective 11/13/97. Statutory Authority: 1990 c 59. WSR 92-12-083, § 434-28-012, filed 6/2/92, effective 7/3/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 29.04.080. WSR 84-15-050 (Order 84-2), § 434-28-012, filed 7/16/84; WSR 80-05-014 (Order 80-1), § 434-28-012, filed 4/8/80.]


PDF434-215-015

Write-in declaration of candidacy.

Declarations of candidacy filed either in person or by mail shall be in substantially the following form:
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.24.091, 29A.24.311, 29A.60.021, 29A.60.185, 29A.60.170, 29A.60.110, and 29A.60.235. WSR 19-01-102, § 434-215-015, filed 12/18/18, effective 1/18/19. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611 and 29A.04.620. WSR 16-13-063, § 434-215-015, filed 6/13/16, effective 7/14/16.]


PDF434-215-021

Declaration of candidacy—Precinct committee officer.

Declarations of candidacy for the office of precinct committee officer shall be in substantially the following form:
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 14-06-040, § 434-215-021, filed 2/26/14, effective 3/29/14; WSR 12-14-074, § 434-215-021, filed 7/2/12, effective 8/2/12.]


PDF434-215-024

Insufficient payment of a filing fee.

If, after the last day to withdraw, a county auditor learns that a candidate provided insufficient funds for a filing fee, the county auditor must recoup that cost through other allowable means.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.255. WSR 11-05-008, § 434-215-024, filed 2/3/11, effective 3/6/11.]


PDF434-215-025

Filing fee petitions.

(1) When a candidate submits a filing fee petition in lieu of his or her filing fee, as authorized by RCW 29A.24.091, voters eligible to vote on the office in the general election are eligible to sign the candidate's filing fee petition.
(2) A candidate submitting a filing fee petition in the place of a filing fee may not file the declaration of candidacy electronically.
(3) A candidate submitting a filing fee petition must submit all signatures when filing the declaration of candidacy. The candidate cannot supplement the signatures at a later date.
(4) The filing officer shall verify the candidate has submitted sufficient number of valid signatures equal to the filing fee. The first valid signature of a voter counts toward the number of signatures required. Duplicate signatures are invalid.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.24.091, 29A.24.311, 29A.60.021, 29A.60.185, 29A.60.170, 29A.60.110, and 29A.60.235. WSR 19-01-102, § 434-215-025, filed 12/18/18, effective 1/18/19. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 14-06-040, § 434-215-025, filed 2/26/14, effective 3/29/14. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.255. WSR 11-05-008, § 434-215-025, filed 2/3/11, effective 3/6/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 10-03-072, § 434-215-025, filed 1/18/10, effective 2/18/10; WSR 08-15-052, § 434-215-025, filed 7/11/08, effective 8/11/08; WSR 07-09-036, § 434-215-025, filed 4/11/07, effective 5/12/07.]


PDF434-215-040

Online filing—Contingency plan.

In the event of an internet outage or disruption to the office of the secretary of state's online candidate filing system, declarations of candidacy and filing fees for offices that file with the secretary of state may be received in person by any county auditor during the last two hours of the filing period. All information listed on the declaration of candidacy for these offices must be transmitted to the secretary of state as soon as practicable after the filing was accepted.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 24-03-053, § 434-215-040, filed 1/10/24, effective 2/10/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630. WSR 11-24-064, § 434-215-040, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 09-18-098, § 434-215-040, filed 9/1/09, effective 10/2/09.]


PDF434-215-050

Use of title, rank, or symbols prohibited.

No person when filing for office shall be permitted to use any title, rank, or symbol instead of, or in conjunction with, his or her name including, but not limited to, Mr., Mrs., Dr., Ph.D., J.D., Gen., except as may be provided by law or administrative rule.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 17-12-090, § 434-215-050, filed 6/6/17, effective 7/7/17; WSR 06-23-094, § 434-215-050, filed 11/15/06, effective 12/16/06. WSR 02-09-007, recodified as § 434-215-050, filed 4/4/02, effective 4/4/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 29.04.080, 29.04.210, 29.36.150 and 29.79.200. WSR 97-21-045, recodified as § 434-228-050, filed 10/13/97, effective 11/13/97. Statutory Authority: 1990 c 59. WSR 92-12-083, § 434-28-050, filed 6/2/92, effective 7/3/92.]


PDF434-215-060

Duplication of names.

Whenever, in the judgment of the filing officer, two or more candidates have filed for the same office whose names are so similar as to be confusing to voters, he or she shall differentiate between the candidates by the inclusion of additional information in connection with the name as it appears on the ballot. Such differentiation may be made by the inclusion of the candidate's occupation, status as incumbent or challenger, or by any other means which, in the judgment of the filing officer, fairly and impartially distinguishes the candidates. The filing officer may solicit suggestions and input from the candidates involved in order to resolve the situation.
[WSR 02-09-007, recodified as § 434-215-060, filed 4/4/02, effective 4/4/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 29.04.080, 29.04.210, 29.36.150 and 29.79.200. WSR 97-21-045, recodified as § 434-228-060, filed 10/13/97, effective 11/13/97. Statutory Authority: 1990 c 59. WSR 92-12-083, § 434-28-060, filed 6/2/92, effective 7/3/92.]


PDF434-215-065

Withdrawal of candidacy.

Consistent with RCW 29A.24.131, a candidate may withdraw their declaration of candidacy at any time before 5:00 p.m. on the Monday following the last day for candidates to file. The candidate must file a signed request that their name not be printed on the ballot. This request to withdraw must be filed with the officer who accepted the declaration of candidacy. A request to withdraw may be filed electronically. Once filed, the withdrawal cannot be revoked. There shall be no withdrawal period for declarations of candidacy filed during special filing periods.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 24-03-053, § 434-215-065, filed 1/10/24, effective 2/10/24; WSR 17-12-090, § 434-215-065, filed 6/6/17, effective 7/7/17. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630. WSR 11-24-064, § 434-215-065, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.255. WSR 11-05-008, § 434-215-065, filed 2/3/11, effective 3/6/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.08.420, 29A.24.131, 29A.40.110, 29A.46.020, and 29A.80.041. WSR 10-14-091, § 434-215-065, filed 7/6/10, effective 8/6/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.530. WSR 06-02-028, § 434-215-065, filed 12/28/05, effective 1/28/06.]


PDF434-215-070

Electronic filing—Requirements.

An electronic system to file declarations of candidacy shall be an online system accessible to candidates on the world wide web that is capable of:
(1) Recording each candidate's name, date of birth, voter registration address, mailing address, phone number, email address, and political party preference for partisan offices, and the office and position number for which each candidate is filing;
(2) Verifying the candidate's voter registration status, and that the voter registration address is within the jurisdiction of the office for which the candidate is filing;
(3) Accepting electronic transfer of funds for the payment of filing fees;
(4) Informing, and requiring each candidate to acknowledge, that submission of the form constitutes agreement that the information provided with the filing is true, that he or she will support the Constitution and laws of the United States and the state of Washington, and that he or she agrees to electronic payment of any filing fees; and
(5) Allowing the filing officer to verify each filing before it is made public.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 10-03-072, § 434-215-070, filed 1/18/10, effective 2/18/10; WSR 05-17-145, § 434-215-070, filed 8/19/05, effective 9/19/05. Statutory Authority: 2002 c 140 § 3. WSR 02-15-156, § 434-215-070, filed 7/23/02, effective 8/23/02.]


PDF434-215-110

Electronic filing—Interlocal agreements.

The secretary of state may enter into interlocal agreements with county auditors to provide services to allow county auditors to accept electronic filings. Nothing in an agreement shall contravene RCW 29A.24.070, determining where candidates file for office.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 05-17-145, § 434-215-110, filed 8/19/05, effective 9/19/05. Statutory Authority: 2002 c 140 § 3. WSR 02-15-156, § 434-215-110, filed 7/23/02, effective 8/23/02.]


PDF434-215-120

Political party preference by candidate for partisan office.

(1) On a declaration of candidacy, a candidate for partisan congressional, state, or county office may state his or her preference for a political party, or not state a preference. The candidate may use up to eighteen characters for the name of the political party. A candidate's party preference, or the fact that the candidate states no preference, must be printed with the candidate's name on the ballot and in any voters' pamphlets printed by the office of the secretary of state or a county auditor's office.
(2) If a candidate does not indicate a party that he or she prefers, then the candidate has stated no party preference and is listed as such on the ballot and in any voters' pamphlets.
(3) The filing officer may not print on the ballots, in a voters' pamphlet, or other election materials a political party name that is obscene. If the name of the political party provided by the candidate would be considered obscene, the filing officer may petition the superior court pursuant to RCW 29A.68.011 for a judicial determination that the party name be edited to remove the obscenity, or rejected and replaced with "states no party preference."
(4) A candidate's preference may not imply that the candidate is nominated or endorsed by the party, or that the party approves of or associates with that candidate. If the name of the political party provided by the candidate implies that the candidate is nominated or endorsed by a political party, or that a political party approves of or associates with that candidate, the filing officer may petition the superior court pursuant to RCW 29A.68.011 for a judicial determination that the party name be edited, or rejected and replaced with "states no party preference."
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.24.091, 29A.24.311, 29A.60.021, 29A.60.185, 29A.60.170, 29A.60.110, and 29A.60.235. WSR 19-01-102, § 434-215-120, filed 12/18/18, effective 1/18/19. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 08-15-052, § 434-215-120, filed 7/11/08, effective 8/11/08.]


PDF434-215-130

Minor political party candidates and independent candidates.

(1) In the election system enacted as chapter 2, Laws of 2005, there is no distinction between major party candidates, minor party candidates, or independent candidates filing for partisan congressional, state, or county office. All candidates filing for these partisan offices have the same filing and qualifying requirements. All candidates for partisan office have the option of stating on the ballot their preference for a political party, or stating no party preference. The party preference information plays no role in determining how candidates are elected to public office.
(2) If two or more certificates of nomination are filed purporting to nominate the same candidates for president and vice president by two different minor political parties, or both by a party and as an independent candidate, the first valid certificate of nomination filed with the secretary of state shall be accepted and subsequent certificates must be rejected.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 14-06-040, § 434-215-130, filed 2/26/14, effective 3/29/14; WSR 12-14-074, § 434-215-130, filed 7/2/12, effective 8/2/12; WSR 08-15-052, § 434-215-130, filed 7/11/08, effective 8/11/08.]


PDF434-215-165

Presidential nominations by major political parties.

Nominations for president and vice president by major political parties are conducted at each party's national convention. Immediately following the convention, each party must submit a certificate of nomination and list of electors to the secretary of state in order to place the nominees on the presidential general election ballot.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630. WSR 11-24-064, § 434-215-165, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12.]


PDF434-215-170

Filing qualifications.

When state law requires a candidate to possess all qualifications of the office at the time of candidate filing, a candidate must satisfy this requirement at the time of candidate filing; a candidate cannot rely on possessing the qualifications at a later time, such as election day or the beginning of the term of office.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 10-03-072, § 434-215-170, filed 1/18/10, effective 2/18/10.]


PDF434-215-180

Write-in candidates.

A candidate desiring to file as a write-in candidate must file the write-in declaration of candidacy no later than 8:00 p.m. on election day. If a write-in declaration of candidacy is filed with the filing officer after the close of the regular candidate filing period per RCW 29A.24.050 and more than 18 days before a primary or election, no filing fee is required.
Candidates filing a write-in declaration of candidacy on or after the 18th day before a primary or election must pay a filing fee at the time of filing the declaration. Offices with a fixed annual salary of more than $1,000 must pay a filing fee equal to one percent of the annual salary at the time of the regular filing period as per RCW 29A.24.091. For all other offices, a filing fee of $25 is required.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611. WSR 23-15-018, § 434-215-180, filed 7/7/23, effective 8/7/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.24.091, 29A.24.311, 29A.60.021, 29A.60.185, 29A.60.170, 29A.60.110, and 29A.60.235. WSR 19-01-102, § 434-215-180, filed 12/18/18, effective 1/18/19. Statutory Authority: RCW 29A.04.611, 29A.04.620, and 29A.04.630. WSR 11-24-064, § 434-215-180, filed 12/6/11, effective 1/6/12.]
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