The five-day candidate filing period for state and local elected offices is nearly underway.

Candidate filing will be open for five days — May 11-15 — and Clallam County Auditor’s Office urge perspective candidates to review the “Elections Guide for Jurisdictions and Candidates,” available on the auditor’s website at www.clallam.net/Auditor/Elections.html. The guide has key dates, contact information and rules for local candidates and ballot measures.

In addition, candidates for state and federal offices should visit the Washington Secretary of State website (www.sos.wa.gov) or call 360-902-4180 for information on rules and filing procedures for those offices.

Paper filings must be mailed before May 11. Dropping them in the drop box is considered an in-person filing, and not a mail filing; in-person filings are only accepted during the filing week period. The mailing address is: Clallam County Auditor’s Office, 223 E. 4th St., Suite 1, Port Angeles WA 98362.

The best way to file for office is online, Clallam County Auditor’s Office staff said. Online filing starts 9 a.m. on Monday, May 11, and runs through 4 p.m. Friday, May 15.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the county auditor’s office is closed to the public but staffers are available to help via phone (360-417-2217) or email (elections@co.clallam.wa.us) communications, auditor’s office staff said.

“We strongly encourage candidates to file as early as possible to avoid technical or processing issues,” they said.

“If a candidate can’t file due to a lack of resources or a disability, call us. Our friendly staff will troubleshoot and find a solution.”