Candidate filing period for state-level races to end in Washington


The statewide filing deadline to run for elected office in Washington is on May 15, 2020. Prospective candidates may file for the following state-level offices:

State executive
  • Governor
  • Lieutenant Governor
  • Attorney General
  • Secretary of State
  • Superintendent of Public Instruction
  • Commissioner of Public Lands
  • Treasurer
  • Auditor
  • Commissioner of Insurance
State legislative
  • Washington State Senate (25 seats)
  • Washington House of Representatives (98 seats)
State judicial
  • Washington Supreme Court (4 seats)
  • Washington Court of Appeals (8 seats)

The primary is scheduled for August 4, and the general election is scheduled for November 3, 2020.

Washington’s statewide filing deadline is the 38th to take place in the 2020 election cycle. The next statewide filing deadline is on May 28 in Vermont.

Washington has a Democratic state government trifecta. A trifecta exists when one political party simultaneously holds the governor’s office and majorities in both state legislative chambers.

Additional reading: