How to file if you want to run for office in Seattle

If you’re really looking to have an impact on your community, ever think about running for a local office?

The Seattle City Council is in the middle of its 2023 election cycle where seven council seats are up for grabs. There is still time to join the race, if you were considering it.

Here’s what filing to run for office looks like, whether you’re looking to step in or just want insight about the process.

Getting started

Before you start creating those buttons and flyers, there are a few key administrative tasks to take care of.

• Make sure you fill out all the necessary paperwork to start your campaign like the Declaration of Candidacy (due next Friday, May 19). You’ll also need to make sure you’re registered to vote in the jurisdiction you’re running in.
• Get up to speed on all of the candidate finance rules and regulations.
• Check to see if the position you’re applying for requires a certain number of qualifying contributions and signatures to get you on the ballot.
• Decide if you want to participate in the Democracy Voucher program to help you meet that qualifying contribution and signature requirement. If you do, you’ll also need to sign the Candidate Pledge.

If this all feels overwhelming, think about finding a campaign manager to help you stay on track and ensure you don’t miss any steps. There are also other resources online to get you going.

• The Municipal Research and Services Center has a guide for local office candidates.
• The Association for Washington Cities has information on task deadlines, as well as roles and responsibilities for elected positions.