The week from Monday, May 17th to Friday, May 21st, is the time this year for candidates to file for political offices scheduled to appear on the November 2021 General Election ballots in Whatcom County.
Candidates are encouraged to file their Declaration of Candidacy online. Online filing begins at 9am on Monday, May 17th, and closes at 4pm on Friday, May 21st.
County Auditor Diana Bradrick advises prospective candidates, whether running for re-election or for the first time, to review the Candidate Filing Guide. The guide contains information candidates need to know and requirements and regulations can change from year to year according to Bradrick.
Candidates wanting to file in person at the Auditor’s Office will be directed to a computer in their office. In-person filing opens May 17th at 8:30am and ends May 21st at 4:30pm. Candidates will be directed to a computer set up in our office.
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A candidate may mail their Declaration of Candidacy form accompanied by the filing fee to the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office, Election Division, 311 Grand Ave., Suite 103, Bellingham, WA 98225. Filings will be received by mail beginning May 3rd but will not be processed until the official filing week.
The deadline for filings being received is 4:30pm on May 21st. Any filing received before May 3rd or after the deadline will be rejected and returned to the candidate.
The following offices are open for election this year. Incumbents listed may or may not choose to run for reelection.
| District | Office | Term | Incumbent | Filing Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acme Water District 18 | Commissioner Position 1 | 6-year Short & Full term, Nonpartisan | Sarah Bolton | – |
| Acme Water District 18 | Commissioner Position 3 | 4-year Unexpired term, Nonpartisan | Jim Sutterfield | – |
| Bellingham School District 501 | Director Position 4 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Jenn Mason | – |
| Bellingham School District 501 | Director Position 5 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Douglas W. Benjamin | – |
| Birch Bay Water and Sewer District | Commissioner Position 1 | 6-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Jeff Benner | – |
| Blaine School District 503 | Director District 3 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Joan Lotze | – |
| Blaine School District 503 | Director District 5 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Laura McKinney | – |
| Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 | Commissioner Position 1 | 2-year Unexpired term, Nonpartisan | Jesse Creydt | – |
| Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 | Commissioner Position 2 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Sheli Moore | – |
| Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 | Commissioner Position 4 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Billy Brown | – |
| Cemetery District 1 | Commissioner Position 1 | 6-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | John F. LaMonte | – |
| Cemetery District 1 | Commissioner Position 2 | 2-year Unexpired term, Nonpartisan | Wade A. Pettigrew | – |
| Cemetery District 1 | Commissioner Position 3 | 4-year Unexpired term, Nonpartisan | Vickie Rainey | – |
| Cemetery District 10 | Commissioner Position 1 | 6-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Richard Decima | – |
| Cemetery District 10 | Commissioner Position 3 | 4-year Unexpired term, Nonpartisan | Vacant | – |
| Cemetery District 11 | Commissioner Position 1 | 6-year Short & Full term, Nonpartisan | Jeffrey (Wayne) Johnson | – |
| Cemetery District 2 | Commissioner Position 1 | 6-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Charles Baker | – |
| Cemetery District 3 | Commissioner Position 1 | 6-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Scott Robertson | – |
| Cemetery District 4 | Commissioner Position 1 | 6-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | John Groom | – |
| Cemetery District 4 | Commissioner Position 2 | 2-year Unexpired term, Nonpartisan | Robert Crozier | – |
| Cemetery District 5 | Commissioner Position 1 | 6-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Mary Boice | – |
| Cemetery District 6 | Commissioner Position 1 | 6-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Julie Hughes | – |
| Cemetery District 7 | Commissioner Position 1 | 6-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Leonard Sund | – |
| Cemetery District 8 | Commissioner Position 1 | 6-year Short & Full term, Nonpartisan | Stephen Falk | – |
| Cemetery District 9 | Commissioner Position 1 | 6-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Tom Jones | – |
| Cemetery District 9 | Commissioner Position 3 | 4-year Unexpired term, Nonpartisan | Dave Finet | – |
| Chuckanut Community Forest Park District | Commissioner Position 2 | 6-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | John Hymas | – |
| City of Bellingham | Council At-Large | 2-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Hollie Huthman | 287.88 |
| City of Bellingham | Council Ward 2 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Gene Knutson | 287.88 |
| City of Bellingham | Council Ward 4 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Pinky Vargas | 287.88 |
| City of Bellingham | Council Ward 6 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Michael Lilliquist | 287.88 |
| City of Bellingham | Municipal Court Judge | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Debra Lev | 1,660.92 |
| City of Blaine | Council At-Large Position 7 | 4-year Short & Full term, Nonpartisan | Sukhwant Singh Gill | – |
| City of Blaine | Council Ward 1 Position 2 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Bonnie Onyon | – |
| City of Blaine | Council Ward 2 Position 4 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Charles Hawkins | – |
| City of Blaine | Council Ward 3 Position 6 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Eric Davidson | – |
| City of Everson | Council Position 1 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Jaleen M. Pratt | 18.00 |
| City of Everson | Council Position 2 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Jennifer Lautenbach | 18.00 |
| City of Everson | Council Position 3 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Matthew Goering | 18.00 |
| City of Everson | Mayor | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | John Perry | 60.00 |
| City of Ferndale | Council Position 5 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Ryan O’Larey | 80.88 |
| City of Ferndale | Council Position 6 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Kate Hansen | 80.88 |
| City of Ferndale | Council Position 7 | 4-year Short & Full term, Nonpartisan | Maralise Fegan | 80.88 |
| City of Lynden | Council Position 5 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Nick H. Laninga | 83.46 |
| City of Lynden | Council Position 6 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Kyle Strengholt | 83.46 |
| City of Lynden | Council Position 7 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Mark H. Wohlrab | 83.46 |
| City of Lynden | Mayor | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Scott Korthuis | 347.78 |
| City of Nooksack | Council Position 1 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Steve C. Neyens | 18.00 |
| City of Nooksack | Council Position 2 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Randy Relethford | 18.00 |
| City of Nooksack | Council Position 3 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Tom Jones | 18.00 |
| City of Nooksack | Council Position 4 | 2-year Unexpired term, Nonpartisan | Ryan Steward | 18.00 |
| City of Nooksack | Council Position 5 | 2-year Unexpired term, Nonpartisan | Michelle Barrett | 18.00 |
| City of Nooksack | Mayor | 4-year Short & Full term, Nonpartisan | Marshall Judy | 90.00 |
| City of Sumas | Council Position 1 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Bruce Bosch | 18.00 |
| City of Sumas | Council Position 2 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Richard D. Postma | 18.00 |
| City of Sumas | Council Position 4 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Joshua J. Clawson | 18.00 |
| City of Sumas | Mayor | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Kyle Christensen | 72.00 |
| COLUMBIA VALLEY PARK AND RECREATION DISTRICT | Commissioner Position 2 | 2-year Unexpired term, Nonpartisan | Richard Whitson | – |
| COLUMBIA VALLEY PARK AND RECREATION DISTRICT | Commissioner Position 3 | 2-year Unexpired term, Nonpartisan | Cindy Johnson | – |
| COLUMBIA VALLEY PARK AND RECREATION DISTRICT | Commissioner Position 4 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Andrew Towle | – |
| COLUMBIA VALLEY PARK AND RECREATION DISTRICT | Commissioner Position 5 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Jessica Bee | – |
| Columbia Valley Water District | Commissioner Position 1 | 6-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Richard Banel | – |
| County | At-Large Position A | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Barry Buchanan | 401.80 |
| County Council District 1 | Council District 1 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Rud Browne | 401.80 |
| County Council District 2 | Council District 2 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Todd Donovan | 401.80 |
| County Council District 3 | Council District 3 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Tyler Byrd | 401.80 |
| Ferndale School District 502 | Director District 4 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Lee Anne Riddle | – |
| Ferndale School District 502 | Director District 5 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Andrew McLaurin | – |
| Fire Protection District 1 | Commissioner Position 1 | 6-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Tim Wells | – |
| Fire Protection District 11 | Commissioner Position 1 | 6-year Short & Full term, Nonpartisan | Steve Kopanos | – |
| Fire Protection District 14 | Commissioner Position 1 | 6-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Chris Moe | – |
| Fire Protection District 16 | Commissioner Position 1 | 6-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Ryan Lenssen | – |
| Fire Protection District 17 | Commissioner Position 1 | 6-year Short & Full term, Nonpartisan | Bill Rinesmith | – |
| Fire Protection District 18 | Commissioner Position 1 | 6-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Justin Wright | – |
| Fire Protection District 21 | Commissioner Position 1 | 6-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | John Crawford | – |
| Fire Protection District 21 | Commissioner Position 5 | 2-year Unexpired term, Nonpartisan | Kimberly Calman-McMurray | – |
| Fire Protection District 4 | Commissioner Position 1 | 6-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Harry W. Andrews | – |
| Fire Protection District 4 | Commissioner Position 2 | 2-year Unexpired term, Nonpartisan | Mark Lann | – |
| Fire Protection District 5 | Commissioner Position 1 | 6-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Virginia Lester | – |
| Fire Protection District 7 | Commissioner Position 1 | 6-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Kendra Cristelli | – |
| Fire Protection District 8 | Commissioner Position 3 | 6-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Robert Neher | – |
| Fire Protection District 8 | Commissioner Position 5 | 2-year Unexpired term, Nonpartisan | Vacant | – |
| Glacier Fire and Rescue | Commissioner Position 1 | 6-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Tim Coralline | – |
| Glacier Fire and Rescue | Commissioner Position 2 | 2-year Unexpired term, Nonpartisan | Magenta Widner | – |
| Glacier Water District 14 | Commissioner Position 1 | 6-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Connie Cook | – |
| Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District | Commissioner District 1 | 6-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Laura Lee Abele | – |
| Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District | Commissioner District 4 | 6-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Leslie McRoberts | – |
| Lynden Regional Park and Recreation District 3 | Commissioner Position 1 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Rick Lair | – |
| Lynden Regional Park and Recreation District 3 | Commissioner Position 4 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Bob Johnson | – |
| LYNDEN SCHOOL DISTRICT 504 | Director Position 4 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Stephan Jilk | – |
| LYNDEN SCHOOL DISTRICT 504 | Director Position 5 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Kelli Kettels | – |
| Meridian School District 505 | Director District 2 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Renier (Beaver) Elenbaas | – |
| Meridian School District 505 | Director District 3 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Emily Norton | – |
| MT BAKER SCHOOL DISTRICT 507 | Director District 1 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Brian Kelly | – |
| MT BAKER SCHOOL DISTRICT 507 | Director District 4 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Kelly Zender | – |
| Nooksack Valley School District 506 | Director District 1 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Randall Wright | – |
| Nooksack Valley School District 506 | Director District 2 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Stephen A. Jones | – |
| Point Roberts Park and Recreation District 1 | Commissioner Position 3 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Holly Robinson | – |
| Point Roberts Park and Recreation District 1 | Commissioner Position 4 | 4-year Short & Full term, Nonpartisan | Daniel Schroeder | – |
| Point Roberts Park and Recreation District 1 | Commissioner Position 5 | 2-year Unexpired term, Nonpartisan | Stephen Falk | – |
| Point Roberts Public Hospital District | Commissioner Position 3 | 6-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Kandace (Kandy) Harper | – |
| Point Roberts Water District 4 | Commissioner Position 1 | 6-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Madeleine Anderson | – |
| PORT OF BELLINGHAM | Commissioner District 1 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Michael Alvarez Shepard | 84.00 |
| PORT OF BELLINGHAM | Commissioner District 2 | 4-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Ken Bell | 84.00 |
| Samish Water District | Commissioner Position 1 | 6-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Gordon J. Nolan | – |
| South Whatcom Fire Authority | Commissioner District 1 | 6-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Brian Martin | – |
| Water District 13 | Commissioner Position 1 | 6-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Robert Vandenhaak | – |
| Water District 13 | Commissioner Position 5 | 6-year Short & Full term, Nonpartisan | Anthony Ay | – |
| Water District 2 | Commissioner Position 1 | 6-year Regular term, Nonpartisan | Chuck Foster | – |
| Water District 7 | Commissioner Position 1 | 6-year Short & Full term, Nonpartisan | Tessa Ebbesen | – |
According to Washington State law, “The name of a candidate for an office shall not appear on a ballot for that office unless … the candidate is, at the time the candidate’s declaration of candidacy is filed, properly registered to vote in the geographic area represented by the office.” Each office may include additional eligibility requirements for candidates.
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For additional information, contact County Auditor Diana Bradrick at (360) 778-5105.