I asked the county Auditor what were the rules for write in candidates to file so late in the election season. Here is what she emailed to me:
Hi Peter,
We accept Declarations of candidacy for write-in candidates until October 16, 2015for the General Election. Just like any other candidate, write-in candidates will be required to pay the filing fee of $66.00 if this is for City of Port Angeles.
Please see the RCW below for more detail on Write-in candidates.
Let me know if you have any further questions.
Shoona
RCW 29A.24.311
Write-in voting — Candidates, declaration.
(1) Any person who desires to be a write-in candidate and have such votes counted at a primary or election may file a declaration of candidacy with the officer designated in RCW 29A.24.070 not later than the day ballots must be mailed according to RCW 29A.40.070. Declarations of candidacy for write-in candidates must be accompanied by a filing fee in the same manner as required of other candidates filing for the office as provided in RCW 29A.24.091.
(2) Votes cast for write-in candidates who have filed such declarations of candidacy need only specify the name of the candidate in the appropriate location on the ballot in order to be counted. Write-in votes cast for any other candidate, in order to be counted, must designate the office sought and position number, if the manner in which the write-in is done does not make the office or position clear.
(3) No person may file as a write-in candidate where:
(a) At a general election, the person attempting to file either filed as a write-in candidate for the same office at the preceding primary or the person's name appeared on the ballot for the same office at the preceding primary;
(b) The person attempting to file as a write-in candidate has already filed a valid write-in declaration for that primary or election;
(c) The name of the person attempting to file already appears on the ballot as a candidate for another office, unless the other office is precinct committee officer or a temporary elected position, such as charter review board member or freeholder;
(d) The office filed for is committee precinct officer.
(4) The declaration of candidacy shall be similar to that required by RCW29A.24.031. No write-in candidate filing under this section may be included in any voter's pamphlet produced under chapter 29A.32 RCW unless that candidate qualifies to have his or her name printed on the general election ballot. The legislative authority of any jurisdiction producing a local voter's pamphlet under chapter 29A.32 RCW may provide, by ordinance, for the inclusion of write-in candidates in such pamphlets.
(2) Votes cast for write-in candidates who have filed such declarations of candidacy need only specify the name of the candidate in the appropriate location on the ballot in order to be counted. Write-in votes cast for any other candidate, in order to be counted, must designate the office sought and position number, if the manner in which the write-in is done does not make the office or position clear.
(3) No person may file as a write-in candidate where:
(a) At a general election, the person attempting to file either filed as a write-in candidate for the same office at the preceding primary or the person's name appeared on the ballot for the same office at the preceding primary;
(b) The person attempting to file as a write-in candidate has already filed a valid write-in declaration for that primary or election;
(c) The name of the person attempting to file already appears on the ballot as a candidate for another office, unless the other office is precinct committee officer or a temporary elected position, such as charter review board member or freeholder;
(d) The office filed for is committee precinct officer.
(4) The declaration of candidacy shall be similar to that required by RCW29A.24.031. No write-in candidate filing under this section may be included in any voter's pamphlet produced under chapter 29A.32 RCW unless that candidate qualifies to have his or her name printed on the general election ballot. The legislative authority of any jurisdiction producing a local voter's pamphlet under chapter 29A.32 RCW may provide, by ordinance, for the inclusion of write-in candidates in such pamphlets.
[2013 c 11 § 91; 2012 c 89 § 2; 2011 c 349 § 13; 2004 c 271 § 117.]
Thank you,
Shoona Riggs
Clallam County Auditor
Shoona Riggs
Clallam County Auditor
Well That settles that don't it readers, even if I wanted to I couldn't afford the filing fee!
Besides readers I was reconsidering my positions, however I just don't have the heart to go against my own principles and ethics and enter into this race for position 7 and just become another phantom candidate who has done nothing to work toward it. Someone else might have no issues in doing this, but in my heart, and mind I would be seen just entering this through the back door. I sure don't want that hanging over my head.
Plus my health hasn't been a 100% lately. I think this would be seen as desperation both on my part, and those voters who are just ticked off at Bateham's decision of becoming a phantom candidate. The stage is already too crowded.
