The five-day candidate filing period for numerous local elected offices is nearly underway in Clallam County.
So far, several incumbents have declared their intent to run again in various offices in the Sequim area, including Sequim City Council, Clallam County Fire District 3 and the Port of Port Angeles.
Three of four incumbents for Sequim City Council — Deputy Mayor Ted Miller and Position No. 3; Mayor Dennis Smith, Position No. 4, said they plan to run for 4-year terms again, while city councilor Bob Lake, Position No. 6, runs for one year left in his position after being appointed in January 2016.
City Councilor Genaveve Starr, who was appointed in January 2013 and elected later that year for position No. 5, said she will not run again because she wants a break from 20-plus years of continual community service.
“I’ve been doing so much volunteer work that I decided to take a break for myself and decide what to do next,” she said.
Starr has been involved in different capacities for Clallam Transit, Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Sequim-Shisô Sister City Association, League of Women Voters and more.
Starr said she’s proud of the good interaction between the councilors and how they’ve monitored the financial situation closely for the city. She also served on Clallam Transit’s board approving the Strait Shot service to Bainbridge Island ferry.
The only new candidate who has indicated he intends to run is Brandon Janisse, a former candidate for city councilor and current member of the City of Sequim’s planning commission.
Both incumbents for the Port of Port Angeles, Colleen McAleer, District 1 commissioner, and Steven Burke, District 2 commissioner, indicated they plan to file next week for their positions. McAleer, the Port’s first female commissioner, was elected in 2013 and Burke was appointed in March of last year following Jim Hallett’s resignation.
Clallam County Fire District 3 commissioner No. 2 Steven Chinn was first appointed in July 2016, said he plans to file for his position, too.
Sequim School District’s board of directors has two open positions as well for District 2 and at-large.
Incumbents Michael Howe, director for District 2, who was elected in 2013, chose not to comment on his plans while newly appointed at-large director Brian Kuh said he hasn’t decided on whether or not to run.
A free school board candidate workshop runs from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, at the Port Angeles School District boardroom, 216 E. Fourth St., in Port Angeles.
Other positions in the upcoming election include Clallam County Public Hospital District No. 2 Position No. 1, currently held by John Nutter, and District No. 3 Position No. 2, held by John Miles; Clallam County Park and Recreation District 1 commissioner No. 1, held by Sherry Nagel, and commissioner No. 2, Frank Pickering; and Sunland Water District commissioner No. 2, held by Pepper Putnam.
How to file for office
Candidates must be registered to vote and may file for candidacy in person, online or by mail. The complete list of offices open for filing can be found on the Clallam County Elections website at www.clallam.net/elections.
Residents may file for candidacy in person at the Auditor’s Office, 223 E. Fourth St., Ste. 1, in Port Angeles, from Monday, May 15, through Friday, May 19. The Auditor’s Office is open from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Mailed declarations of candidacy will be accepted through May 19.
Candidates also may file online via the Clallam County Elections website at www.clallam.net/elections. Online filing begins at 9 a.m. May 15 and ends at 4 p.m. May 19.
Candidate filing fees, regardless of filing method, must be received by the Auditor’s Office no later than 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 19, to complete the filing process. The Auditor’s Office accepts payment by cash or check only. Late payments are not accepted and would thus void any such filings.
Additional filing information, including a complete list of offices open for election and applicable filing fees, is available at www.clallam.net/elections.
Contact Clallam County Elections at 417-2222 or sriggs@co.clallam.wa.us for more information.
