Have an idea of how to make the community a better place in which to live, play and work? There’s no better chance than now.
Run for public office. As a candidate, you will contribute to public discussion about issues. If you win, you will — depending on the position with which you will be entrusted — make decisions that affect our level and quality of local education, fire protection, port services, recreation, and sewer and water service.
A public office is not a common object of ambition. As a local elected official, you will be on the front lines in confronting the big issues of the day. Our school boards are trying to balance budgets and maintain education service levels amid declining enrollment and decreased funding from the state Legislature.
The candidate filing period opened on May 15. You can file by mail for one of 40 local positions. All you need to do is be a registered voter in San Juan County and be a resident of the district you want to represent.
The primary election is Aug. 18. The general election is Nov. 3.
The county Elections Office will accept in-person candidate filings beginning June 1 at 8 a.m. The deadline for filing in person and by mail is June 5, 4:30 p.m. Candidate packets are available at the Elections Office, 55 Second St., Friday Harbor, or at http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/sanjuan/Pages/default.aspx
Following is a list of offices for Orcas, Lopez, Shaw, and Stuart Island up for election. If a vacancy occurs in any office before June 1, that office may also be added to this list.
• Orcas School District 137 Director 1, 2, 3 (Orcas)
• Lopez School District 144 Director 1, 2, 3 (Lopez)
• Shaw School District 10 Director 1, 2 (Shaw)
• San Juan Fire Protection District 2 Commissioner 2, 3 (Orcas)
• San Juan Fire Protection District 4 Commissioner 2 (Lopez) full term
• San Juan Fire Protection District 5 Commissioner 2 (Shaw)
• Port of Orcas Commissioner 1, 2, 4
• Port of Lopez Commissioner 3
• Orcas Cemetery District Commissioner 2
• Stuart Cemetery District Commissioner 1, 2, 3
• Eastsound Sewer & Water District Commissioner 3, 4
• Fisherman Bay Sewer District Commissioner 3
