Endorsement Process
Our Endorsement Process
The Skagit Democrats have a simple yet comprehensive process to ensure we certify and/or endorse only those candidates who support our Democratic values. We ask candidates seeking certification as a Democrat to submit an application establishing their credentials as a Democrat. And those candidates seeking endorsement by our party must provide background information pertinent to their candidacy in the candidate questionnaire (available below).
We may also schedule interviews with the Endorsement Committee in order to ask specific questions about the candidate’s position statements on key issues.
Based upon the information provided by the candidates, the Endorsement Committee will make recommendations to the membership on which candidates to endorse. Thereafter, at the Members Endorsement meeting, members will make the final decision on endorsements after receiving the Committee’s recommendations and hearing from the candidates themselves.
A timeline for our Certification and Endorsement process is available below. There is now a process for early Certification to enable candidates earlier access to our party’s resources.
During election years Skagit Democrats set aside funds to support the campaigns of our endorsed Democrats running for office. Endorsed candidates may request financial support by contacting the Endorsement Committee. Funds and in-kind donations are awarded by the Executive Board after taking into account racial and/or economic equity issues as well as availability of funds.
To learn more about this process, please see the following documents:
Due to the large number of expected candidates, the sooner you send your applications in to the Endorsement Committee, the sooner we can review your documents.
- Application for Certification
- Application for Endorsement
- Application for Judicial Endorsement
- 2024 Endorsement Policy
If you should have any questions, please contact the Endorsement Committee at endorsements@skagitdemocrats.org
Candidate Dates and Deadlines
May 6 – 10 – Candidate filing begins. File online with WA Secretary of State (here) or in-person after 9am at Skagit County Elections, 700 S 2nd St, Room 201 Mount Vernon, Washington 98273
May 10– All candidate filing ends at 5 p.m.
May 13 – Last day to withdraw from ballot.
May 14 – Last day for Secretary of State to certify candidates to County Auditors.
May 21 – Final day to submit candidate statements & photographs for state Voters’ Pamphlet. Start early!
July 18 – Deadline to file a Write-in Declaration of Candidacy form without paying a filing fee for the August Primary.
August 6 – Primary Election
November 5 – General Election