Filing deadlines · Washington

Washington candidate filing & campaign-finance deadlines

Official 2026 report due dates for Washington state candidates file with Washington Public Disclosure Commission.

Verified deadlines loaded
Last updated August 27, 2026
Next deadline in Washington
WA Post-Primary C-4 Report

3 more deadlines follow in this cycle.

Electbase emails you before every deadline — 14, 7, and 2 days out — and stays current as the official schedule changes.

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This page also covers Washington candidate-filing (ballot access) deadlines for 2027–2028 — the process of becoming a qualified candidate, distinct from the campaign-finance reporting below. Here's how to run for office in Washington: what to file, when, and with whom.

The 2026 cycle

6 report deadlines for the 2026 cycle.

These are the campaign-finance report due dates a Washington state candidate files with Washington Public Disclosure Commission for the 2026 election cycle, stored verbatim from the official schedule. The 2026 primary is Aug 4, 2026.

DueTypeReportCovers
Pre-election
WA 21-Day Pre-Primary C-4 Report
Summary report due 21 days before the August 4 primary.
 —
Pre-election
WA 7-Day Pre-Primary C-4 Report
Summary report due 7 days before the August 4 primary.
 —
Post-election
WA Post-Primary C-4 Report
Post-primary summary report due September 10 (covering through August 31).
 — – Aug 31, 2026
Pre-election
WA 21-Day Pre-General C-4 Report
Summary report due 21 days before the November 3 general.
 —
Pre-election
WA 7-Day Pre-General C-4 Report
Summary report due 7 days before the November 3 general.
 —
Post-election
WA Post-General C-4 Report
Post-general summary report due December 10 (covering through November 30).
 — – Nov 30, 2026

Shaded rows are deadlines that have already passed.

Good to know

The unconditional election-cycle C-4 summary reports for a full-reporting state legislative candidate. Also required but not listed here as fixed dates: monthly C-4 reports due the 10th of each month (next business day if a weekend/holiday) for any month with over roughly $750 of activity; weekly C-3 deposit reports each Monday from June 1; and an end-of-election-cycle C-4 covering December, due in mid-January 2027 (the PDC 2026 Key Dates page prints a wrong-year date for it — confirm on the 2027 schedule). Mini-reporting candidates are exempt from C-3/C-4 detail (deadlines to switch to full reporting are June 22 and August 31). File via ORCA; $1,500+ last-minute contributions trigger event-driven special reports.

Filing to run for office

Washington candidate-filing deadlines — 2027–2028.

Deadlines to become a qualified candidate for office in Washington — declarations of candidacy, nominating petitions, and related ballot-access filing requirements — compiled from Washington Secretary of State, Elections Division. Distinct from the campaign-finance report deadlines above.

2027

County

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

County Officials (Assessor, Auditor, Clerk, Prosecutor, Sheriff, Treasurer, etc.)

King, Snohomish, Whatcom Counties (King/Snohomish/Whatcom) · 2027 Washington County General Election (King, Snohomish, Whatcom Counties) ·

Filing window: –

Candidacy method: Nonpartisan · Deadline type: Nonpartisan filing

Withdrawal deadline: May 10, 2027

Files with: County Auditor

Fee: $10 to $10,000 depending on office annual salary · Signatures: Petition in lieu of fee: number of signatures equal to the fee amount

Statutory rule: Filing period is the first Monday through the following Friday in May per RCW 29A.24.050. For 2027, first Monday is May 3; following Friday is May 7. (works out to May 7, 2027)

RCW 29A.04.321: State and local general elections—Statewide general election—Exceptions—Special county elections · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Last verified Jul 13, 2026

Filing for County Officials (Assessor, Auditor, Clerk, Prosecutor, Sheriff, Treasurer, etc.) in King, Snohomish, Whatcom Counties for the 2027 Washington County General Election (King, Snohomish, Whatcom Counties) (Nov 23, 2027) closes May 7, 2027 at 5:00 PM America/Los_Angeles. Opens May 3, 2027. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Washington Legislature.

Municipal

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

City, Town, and Municipal Offices

Statewide · 2027 Washington General Election - Municipal, City, Town, and School Board ·

Filing window: –

Candidacy method: Nonpartisan · Deadline type: Nonpartisan filing

Withdrawal deadline: May 10, 2027

Files with: County Auditor (jurisdiction-specific)

Fee: $10 to $10,000 depending on office annual salary (1% of salary or minimum $10) · Signatures: Petition in lieu of fee: number of signatures equal to the fee amount required

Statutory rule: Filing period runs from the first Monday in May through the following Friday in the election year. For 2027, May 1 is a Saturday, so the first Monday is May 3 and the following Friday is May 7. (works out to May 7, 2027)

RCW 29A.24.050: Declaration of candidacy—Certain offices, when filed · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Last verified Jul 13, 2026

Filing for City, Town, and Municipal Offices in Statewide for the 2027 Washington General Election - Municipal, City, Town, and School Board (Nov 23, 2027) closes May 7, 2027 at 5:00 PM America/Los_Angeles. Opens May 3, 2027. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Washington Legislature.

School Board

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

School Board Director

Statewide · 2027 Washington General Election - Municipal, City, Town, and School Board ·

Filing window: –

Candidacy method: Nonpartisan · Deadline type: Nonpartisan filing

Withdrawal deadline: May 24, 2027

Files with: School District Office

Statutory rule: Filing deadline is the Friday following the Monday that is two weeks before Memorial Day. For 2027, Memorial Day is May 31 (Monday), so two weeks prior is May 17 (Monday), and the Friday following is May 21. (works out to May 21, 2027)

RCW 28A.305.021: Election of board members—Restrictions · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Last verified Jul 13, 2026

Filing for School Board Director in Statewide for the 2027 Washington General Election - Municipal, City, Town, and School Board (Nov 23, 2027) closes May 21, 2027 at 5:00 PM America/Los_Angeles. Opens May 17, 2027. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Washington Legislature.

2028

Federal

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

U.S. House of Representatives — Districts 1-10

Statewide · 2028 Washington Primary Election ·

Filing window: –

Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing

Write-in deadline: Jul 16, 2028 · Withdrawal deadline: May 8, 2028

Files with: Washington Secretary of State, Elections Division

Fee: $10 to $10,000 depending on office annual salary (1% of annual salary or minimum $10) · Signatures: Petition in lieu of fee: number of signatures equal to the fee amount required

Statutory rule: Filing period is from the first Monday in May through the following Friday in the election year. For 2028, May 1 is a Monday (first Monday), and the following Friday is May 5. (works out to May 5, 2028)

RCW 29A.24.050: Declaration of candidacy—Certain offices, when filed; RCW 29A.52.112: Top two candidates · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Last verified Jul 13, 2026

Filing for U.S. House of Representatives in Statewide for the 2028 Washington Primary Election (Aug 1, 2028) closes May 5, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Los_Angeles. Opens May 1, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Washington Legislature.

Official

U.S. House of Representatives — Districts 1-10

Statewide · 2028 Washington General Election ·

Candidacy method: Nonpartisan · Deadline type: Ballot access

Write-in deadline: Oct 15, 2028

Files with: Washington Secretary of State, Elections Division

Fee: $10 to $10,000 for write-in candidates (depending on office)

Elections Calendar - Washington Secretary of State · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Last verified Jul 13, 2026

The filing deadline for U.S. House of Representatives in Statewide for the 2028 Washington General Election (Nov 7, 2028) is not yet a confirmed date (official); check with Washington Secretary of State, Elections Division. Source: Washington Secretary of State.

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

President of the United States

Statewide · 2028 Washington Presidential Preference Primary ·

Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party certification

Party certification: Jan 9, 2028

Files with: Washington Secretary of State, Elections Division

Statutory rule: Party certification deadline is 63 days before the March 14, 2028 presidential preference primary. Counting back 63 days from March 14 yields January 11, 2028 (not January 9). (works out to Jan 9, 2028)

RCW 29A.56.031: Procedures—Ballot form and arrangement · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Last verified Jul 13, 2026

The filing deadline for President of the United States in Statewide for the 2028 Washington Presidential Preference Primary (Mar 14, 2028) is not yet a confirmed date (calculated from statute — not an official calendar date); check with Washington Secretary of State, Elections Division. Source: Washington Legislature.

State Legislative

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

Washington State House of Representatives — Districts 1-49 (98 seats total)

Statewide · 2028 Washington Primary Election ·

Filing window: –

Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing

Write-in deadline: Jul 16, 2028 · Withdrawal deadline: May 8, 2028

Files with: Washington Secretary of State, Elections Division

Fee: $10 to $10,000 depending on office annual salary · Signatures: Petition in lieu of fee: number of signatures equal to the fee amount

Statutory rule: Filing period is from the first Monday in May through the following Friday. For 2028, May 1 is Monday (first Monday); May 5 is Friday (following Friday). (works out to May 5, 2028)

RCW 29A.24.050: Declaration of candidacy—Certain offices, when filed · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Last verified Jul 13, 2026

Filing for Washington State House of Representatives in Statewide for the 2028 Washington Primary Election (Aug 1, 2028) closes May 5, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Los_Angeles. Opens May 1, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Washington Legislature.

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

Washington State Senate — 24 districts up for election

Statewide · 2028 Washington Primary Election ·

Filing window: –

Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing

Write-in deadline: Jul 16, 2028 · Withdrawal deadline: May 8, 2028

Files with: Washington Secretary of State, Elections Division

Fee: $10 to $10,000 depending on office annual salary · Signatures: Petition in lieu of fee: number of signatures equal to the fee amount

Statutory rule: Filing period is from the first Monday in May through the following Friday. For 2028, May 1-5. (works out to May 5, 2028)

RCW 29A.24.050: Declaration of candidacy—Certain offices, when filed · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Last verified Jul 13, 2026

Filing for Washington State Senate in Statewide for the 2028 Washington Primary Election (Aug 1, 2028) closes May 5, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Los_Angeles. Opens May 1, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Washington Legislature.

Judicial

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

Court of Appeals — Specific divisions/districts to be confirmed

Statewide · 2028 Washington Primary Election ·

Filing window: –

Candidacy method: Nonpartisan · Deadline type: Nonpartisan filing

Write-in deadline: Jul 16, 2028 · Withdrawal deadline: May 8, 2028

Files with: Washington Secretary of State, Elections Division

Fee: $10 to $10,000 depending on office annual salary · Signatures: Petition in lieu of fee

Statutory rule: Filing period is from the first Monday in May through the following Friday. (works out to May 5, 2028)

RCW 29A.24.050: Declaration of candidacy—Certain offices, when filed · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Last verified Jul 13, 2026

Filing for Court of Appeals in Statewide for the 2028 Washington Primary Election (Aug 1, 2028) closes May 5, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Los_Angeles. Opens May 1, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Washington Legislature.

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

Superior Court Judge — County-specific positions

County-specific Superior Court Judges (All counties) · 2028 Washington Primary Election ·

Filing window: –

Candidacy method: Nonpartisan · Deadline type: Nonpartisan filing

Write-in deadline: Jul 16, 2028 · Withdrawal deadline: May 8, 2028

Files with: Washington Secretary of State, Elections Division

Fee: $10 to $10,000 depending on office annual salary · Signatures: Petition in lieu of fee

Statutory rule: Filing period is from the first Monday in May through the following Friday. (works out to May 5, 2028)

RCW 29A.24.050: Declaration of candidacy—Certain offices, when filed · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Last verified Jul 13, 2026

Filing for Superior Court Judge in County-specific Superior Court Judges for the 2028 Washington Primary Election (Aug 1, 2028) closes May 5, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Los_Angeles. Opens May 1, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Washington Legislature.

County

Calculated from statute — not an official calendar date

County Officials (Assessor, Auditor, Clerk, Prosecutor, Sheriff, Treasurer, etc.)

All counties except King, Snohomish, Whatcom (36 counties (excluding King, Snohomish, Whatcom)) · 2028 Washington Primary Election ·

Filing window: –

Candidacy method: Nonpartisan · Deadline type: Nonpartisan filing

Write-in deadline: Jul 16, 2028 · Withdrawal deadline: May 8, 2028

Files with: Washington Secretary of State, Elections Division

Fee: $10 to $10,000 depending on office annual salary · Signatures: Petition in lieu of fee: number of signatures equal to the fee amount

Statutory rule: Filing period is from the first Monday in May through the following Friday in even-numbered years when county elections occur. (works out to May 5, 2028)

RCW 29A.24.050: Declaration of candidacy—Certain offices, when filed; RCW 29A.04.321 · accessed Jul 13, 2026

Last verified Jul 13, 2026

Filing for County Officials (Assessor, Auditor, Clerk, Prosecutor, Sheriff, Treasurer, etc.) in All counties except King, Snohomish, Whatcom for the 2028 Washington Primary Election (Aug 1, 2028) closes May 5, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Los_Angeles. Opens May 1, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Washington Legislature.

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Electbase compiles these dates from official state sources as a workflow aid. It is not legal advice. Confirm every deadline with your filing authority before you rely on it.

Last updated August 27, 2026

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