Volunteering, Task Forces & Running for Office

If you are considering running for public elected office, this is a simplified flow chart of links to follow for Snohomish County residents.

• Start here. The Secretary of State is in charge of Federal, Statewide, and multi-County legislative and judicial elected positions. You can also find information about voting programs, voting eligibility, candidate eligibility, current and past election results, and redistricting.
• The Candidates page contains the State Candidates Guide 2021: information about filing, filing fees, your candidate profile in the voter's pamphlet, and other information.
  • Page also contains links to descriptions of elected offices, state office salary information, WA state voter registration database, guide to registering new voters, and more
  • For political advertising and financial regulations and reporting: State and local candidates will also need to contact the WA Public Disclosure Commission
  • If you are running for President of the United States, this page details the required convention process and the Minor & Independent Presidential Candidates Guide
  • For political advertising and financial regulations and reporting: Federal candidates will also need to contact the Federal Elections Commission
• Ways to File for Candidacy:
  • Online Candidate Filing is available through the Secretary of State for the following positions:
  • United States Senator; United States Representative; Statewide Executive; State Legislative (multi-county only); Supreme Court Justice; Court of Appeals Judge; Superior Court Judge (multi-county only)
  • Or, you may file by mail or in person using the Printable form

See a list of elected Federal, State, and multi-County positions currently open for election on the Secretary of State website.

WA State Board of Education: How to Run for State Board of Education

• Chapter 28A.305 RCW State Board of Education - eligibility
• To request a complete packet of candidacy information, please contact Kristin Murphy OSPI, Program Specialist, at 360-725-6133; or kristin.murphy@k12.wa.us.

If you are considering running for public elected office, this is a continuation of the simplified flow chart of links to follow for Snohomish County residents.

For those considering running for County and Municipal elected positions, you may locate your County Election Commission here.

• Snohomish County Elections administers primaries and elections and manages the voter registration process for Snohomish County voters.
• The page detailing how to Run for Office contains eligibility guidelines, 2021 Candidate Guide, links to the Candidate Workshops and Public Disclosure Commission Videos and Training Publications

See a list of elected County, Municipal, and School Board positions currently open for election.

The WA State School Directors Association has created a new guide for people considering running for their local school board.

• Additionally, please see their guide to Serving on Your Local School Board and the WA School Board Standards
• The WSSDA has also created a new page for New School Directors, including tutorials on laws, policies, and procedures related to local school boards
• New school directors may also wish to attend the WSSDA Annual Conference and Board Boot Camp training.

AWC: Association of Washington Cities: A private, nonprofit, nonpartisan corporation that represents Washington's cities and towns before the state legislature, the state executive branch and with regulatory agencies. Membership is voluntary. However, AWC consistently maintains 100% participation from Washington's 281 cities and towns.

• Resources for Elected Officials and So You Want to Be an Elected Official (tutorial page with additional resources)

MRSC: Municipal Research and Services Center: A nonprofit organization that helps local governments across Washington State better serve their communities by providing legal and policy guidance on any topic.

• Governance page includes several topics, including:
  • Candidate Information & Resources for Local Government
  • Municipal Elections
  • Quick Guides for Newly Elected City Officials and County Officials
• Also see the Mayor and Councilmember Handbook and Roles and Responsibilities of Local Government Leaders
• 10 Traits of an Effective Councilmember (CN: gender-specific language)

Tribal government election and governance may differ from WA state municipal governance. The information was publicly available about their council election procedures is posted below.

Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe: Council Elections Ordinance

Tulalip Tribes Elections 2021: Annual General Council Procedures

• 2021 Absentee Ballot Request Form
• Address: 6406 Marine Drive, Tulalip, WA 98271
• Election office is open during Board of Directors Election and Commissioners Elections only. Phone: 360-716-4283
• Please contact the BOD Secretary for questions when the Elections office is closed. Phone: 360-716-4500

Please follow the links to see listings for:

Government Volunteer Positions

• Youth Opportunities

Non-Profit Volunteer Positions

• Youth Leadership Opportunities