Washington candidate filing week for the 2024 general election on Nov. 5 ends today. People interested in running for statewide or state legislative offices, along with federal and court positions, must file for election with the Secretary of State no later than 5 p.m. today to appear on the ballot. Positions that have more than two candidates file will appear on the Aug. 6 primary ballot. In Washington, the top-two candidates, regardless of political affiliation, who receive the most votes in the primary election move on to the general election.
This year, all 98 seats in Washington’s House of Representatives are up for election, as well as 25 of the 49 Senate seats. Also on the ballot will be the following statewide elected positions: governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer, attorney general, auditor, superintendent of public instruction, insurance commissioner, and commissioner of public lands.
This year’s ballot will also feature three ballot initiatives:
- I-2109, repeals the state capital gains tax.
- I-2117, repeals the state Climate Commitment Act, which created a cap-and-invest carbon market.
- I-2124, allows people to opt out of the payroll tax that funds WA Cares, the state’s long-term care insurance program.
As a reminder, the UW is a public state agency so certain advocacy activities are limited or barred under state law. This includes prohibiting University employees from engaging in campaigns or ballot initiatives using public resources. At a high level, public agencies and employees are not allowed to:
- Engage in grassroots or other indirect forms of lobbying or advocacy, such as sending communications using your UW email encouraging support for or against a candidate or initiative.
- Spend public funds directly or indirectly (e.g. use of facilities) for campaigns.
- Use public resources to support or oppose a ballot measure such as an initiative or referendum to the people.
For more information about the advocacy laws and guidelines UW employees must follow click here. More detailed information can also be found on the Washington Public Disclosure Commission website.
It is the responsibility of public employees to adhere to the law. Please note that nothing prevents UW employees from expressing personal views or engaging in campaigns or initiatives on personal time with personal resources.
Questions? Contact Morgan Hickel with the Office of State Relations at mhickel@uw.edu.