A chance to serve

When it comes to West Plains elected offices, it’s either feast or famine.

Last year featured no positions in the cities of Airway Heights, Cheney, Medical Lake, either of the two school districts or any special districts — fire, sewer/water — in the area. This year there are 21 up for grabs, and individuals interested in running for office can file beginning May 1.

Spokane County Auditor Vicki Dalton said state law stipulates elections for partisan offices such as county commissioners, the state Legislature, governor and federal offices take place on even numbered years. Non-partisan offices, such as city councils, school boards and others, are elected in odd numbered years.

The reason for this, Dalton said, is to keep the types of offices separate and keep the ballot manageable with regards to its size.

“That’s why it gets so hot and heavy on real estate on the ballot,” Dalton said of 2017.

The filing process is relatively simple — made so by the county’s “Candidate Manual,” which has everything prospective candidates need to know about running for office and is available at the county Election Department’s website. The required “Declaration of Candidacy” submitted by mail will be received beginning May 1, with online and in-person filing beginning at 9 a.m. May 15.

The filing deadline is 4 p.m. May 19. Candidates must be a registered voter of the county, district or political subdivision where they intend to seek office.

The Candidate Manual contains instructions not only on how to file but also how to prepare information for the online voters guide. Candidates should be prepared in advance with a photograph, campaign statement and biography of 100 words or less each, and campaign contact information.

Past voter input provides a guide for preparing the statement, which should be treated like a resume, offer a positive vision, detail what you wish to accomplish and refrain from criticizing any opponent.

“And they (voters) do want to see a photo,” Dalton added.

Dalton also stressed its important for candidates to be very careful and choose the correct seat they are running for. In that end, that’s what they are seeking, not just a position on the elected body.

“You have to be very specific because you are running for a seat,” Dalton added. “Once you press submit, there’s no turning back.”

Most offices require no filing fee because they don’t pay a salary. Offices with salaries, city council, mayor, etc., have filing fees of $10 for salaries less than $1,000 a year, and 1 percent of the salary for those above.

Candidates who lack sufficient assets or income for the fee can submit a “Filing Fee Petition” with their declaration. Dalton said these are typically for candidates who are indigent and unable to pay, and require a lot of leg work as the petition must contain at least the same number of valid signatures of registered voters as the filing fee amount.

Filing fees are nonrefundable, and must be paid a second time if a candidate misfiles for a seat, withdraws and then files again. The reason for this is so people thinking of running for elected office don’t do so frivolously, but give it some serious thought before filing.

“They are work,” Dalton, who herself is an elected official, said. “They are a commitment and you are there for your community.”

John McCallum can be reached at jmac@cheneyfreepress.com.