Clock ticking for candidates

"Candidate filing week is underway in Coupeville, but with only two county commissioner races up for grabs the Island County Auditor's office hasn't exactly seen a rush of political office seekers.There's still time - but not much.The filing period ends at 4:30 p.m. Friday. Those seeking election must file a Declaration of Candidacy and pay a filing fee either in person at the Island County Auditor's Office or by mail during the week.The two contested races are for Island County Commissioner District 1 and District 2 seats. District 1 covers Central and South Whidbey and District 2 covers the greater Oak Harbor area. Candidates must reside in the district they represent.Commissioners are elected by voters from the county as a whole, not just from within their district.Candidates who had already filed by Tuesday afternoon included District 1 incumbent Republican Mike Shelton and District 2 incumbent Republican Mac McDowell. Also filing were District 2 Republican challenger Marvin Koorn and Democrat Lynne Wilcox.The filing fee for the commissioner race is $615.04 which represents 1 percent of the position's salary. Filing fees are not refunded if a candidate later drops out of the race.If a Declaration of Candidacy is mailed in, it must be received in the Auditor's Office during the filing week and must be notarized and include the filing fee.Write-in candidates may file a Declaration of Write-in Candidacy no later than the day before the election or primary.All forms and reports are available at the Auditor's Office, located in the lower level of the Island County Courthouse in Coupeville. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The telephone number is 679-7366."

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