Correction: This article omitted a requirement that to be eligible to hold the elected position that a candidate must be a resident of the city for one year prior to the election. Source: Eligibility to hold elective office. RCW 35A.12.030
Have you ever considered running for office? This year brings some potential changes to Deer Park’s city government with two council seats and the mayorship up for election. When considering whether or not to run, it’s hard to know where to begin.
The City of Deer Park operates under a Mayor-Council form of government, with five elected council members each serving 4-year terms. There will be two seat positions up for election in 2021, in addition to the position for mayor.
City Council members are tasked with representing the interests of their constituents. In addition to proposing and passing ordinances, the City Council:
- Manages and approves the annual budget
- Establishes local tax rates
- Confirms adherence to state rules and policies
- Addresses citizen concerns
- Plans for the future
Declaration Of Candidacy Week
If you want to run for any position that will be open in the 2021 election season, you need to apply during the five-day “declaration of candidacy week,” which begins Monday, May 17th, 2021 at 9am, and closes Friday, May 21st, 2021 at 4pm. Filing online is necessary as the offices are closed due to COVID. There are different requirements for areas of varying populations. Since Deer Park still shows a population of less than 5,000 people, that is slightly less paperwork to complete. However, as you can guess, there are plenty of forms, rules, regulations, filings, and accounting required of all who apply.
At a minimum, you must:
- Be a registered voter in the district for which you are filing
- Have a valid email address
- Pay the filing fee
There are many sites where an interested person can find information on becoming a candidate, or on the candidates. Below is additional information on candidate declaration week, local council meetings, and elections:
Spokane County Elections Office :
Phone: 509-477-2320
Website: SpokaneCounty.org/4578/Elections
Washington Secretary of State office:
Public Disclosure Commission:
Government is a huge maze, with layer upon layer of jurisdictions, districts, zones, and regions. If you’re not sure if you want to run for election, but still want to get involved, a great way to jump in is to listen in on council meetings. The Deer Park City Council meetings are always open to the public; not only will you hear from city council members and the mayor, you will also get updates from city supervisors, the airport manager, economic developers, and others who are acting on behalf of the city and its citizens.
The public is welcome to introduce topics, but it is asked that they submit these topics in writing to City Hall the Wednesday prior to the next council meeting.
Save the dates!
Declaration Week
- Beginning Monday, May 17th, 2021 at 9am – May 21st, 2021 at 4pm.
City Council Meetings
- Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month at 7pm.
Meetings can be heard live at:
Deer Park Gazette’s Facebook page FB.me/DeerParkGazette
On your phone by dialing 1-669-224-3412 and using access code 805-100-029. Minutes from past meetings, as well as the current night’s agenda, can be viewed and downloaded at: CityofDeerParkWa.com
