Filing for elections starts next Monday

Filing for elected positions on the 2020 primary and general election ballots starts next Monday and runs through the rest of the week.

Candidates for local offices may file with their county auditor. Candidates should contact those offices to learn how to file as office access is restricted because of covid-19 virus protection measures.

The Wahkiakum County staff is working with the office of the Secretary of State to create an online registration process.

"We will be available for candidates to file in person, essentially treating our front steps as our counter," Wahkiakum County Elections Office Kaelee Dearmore said in an email this week. "Candidates are also able to mail in a properly filled out declaration with payment included."

Elections for many county-level offices were held in 2018. The 2020 ballot includes county commission seats #1 and #2, and some of the junior taxing districts.

Mike Backman is the commission district one incumbent; the district represents Puget Island and part of Cathlamet. Dan Cothren is the commission district two incumbent, the district represents part of Cathlamet, Elochoman, Columbia and Rosedale precincts.

A listing of other local positions up for election wasn’t available as The Eagle went to press this week. Watch http://www.waheagle.com or the county auditor website, https://www.co.wahkiakum.wa.us/419/Elections, for further details.

The ballot will also include races for US president, Congress, state legislature and a mixture of local offices.

Candidates for District 19 legislative seats are already showing their colors.

Rep. Jim Walsh has announced his candidacy for re-election of his position; and 2018 candidate Joel McEntire of Cathlamet has indicated he is running for the seat held by Democrat Brian Blake. Walsh and McEntire are running as Republicans.

One also sees signs from Jim Smith declaring candidacy for the District 19 Senate seat held by incumbent Democrat Dean Takko.