Montesano, WA – As the final day of Filing Week arrived, 33 offices in Grays Harbor were left unfiled for, and 20 were without a candidate in Pacific County.

Filing for local office officially lasts until 4pm on Friday of Filing Week, although if no candidates step forward and place their name on the ballot, a special filing period would open up for these seats.

Notable omissions, as of Friday morning, were seats on the Aberdeen, Hoquiam, and Cosmopolis City Councils, as well as school board seats throughout the county.

Seats also remained on fire, water, sewer, and cemetery districts.

Changes to the filings as the final day approached include 3 people vieng for a seat on the Grays Harbor Public Hospital District #2 board, with Scott Dilley and Bill Simpson filing for Melanie Sturgeon’s seat. Sturgeon also filed for re-election.

2 people are in the race for Jeff Cook’s seat on the Aberdeen City Council, and neither of them are Cook. Kati Kachman and Dave Deakin both filed. For Margo Shortt’s seat, the incumbent filed Thursday morning, but Deborah Ross and Tara Mareth are also both in for the position.

3 people are now in the race for Cosmopolis Mayor as Kyle Pauley, Steve Davis, and Mark Collett have all filed.

Filing fees are required for a number of offices, equaling 1% of the annual salaries.

The vast majority of offices are for full terms, while many positions are for unexpired or short and full terms. This includes the Port of Grays Harbor seats left open following the retirement of Chuck Caldwell and the passing of Jack Thompson.

File Here Monday, May 13 at 9am to Friday, May 17 at 4pm

The Grays Harbor County Auditor’s website has more information on what it takes to file for office, and what it means when you do; https://wei.sos.wa.gov/county/graysharbor/en/olf/Pages/OnlineCandidateFilingStart.aspx

Congratulations on your decision to run for public office!

The Association of Washington Cities, who represent and work for local cities, has prepared a booklet with information for those considering filing for office, going over the basic duties and obligations of elected officials.

So you want to be an elected official…

Practical information for people running for office in Washington’s cities and towns

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• Cosmopolis
• election
• Hoquiam
• Montesano
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