PORT TOWNSEND — As the filing deadline approaches, no candidates have filed for 22 elected offices in Jefferson County.
Today’s final deadline for candidates to file is 4 p.m. if they choose to file online and 4:30 p.m. if they file by fax, email, mail or in person at the Jefferson County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend.
If no one files for those positions, a three-day extension filing period will be set next week, said Jefferson County Elections Coordinator Betty Johnson.
“Since we have some positions that are also in Clallam County, I’m trying to find out what their days are so we open filing on the same days,” Johnson said.
A total of 54 seats are up for election this year in Jefferson County. Of those, 22 are still open, including commissioner Positions 1 and 2 for the West Jefferson County Hospital District; four director-at-large positions with the Queets/Clearater School District; Brinnon School District Position 1; and Clearwater Fire District commissioners 1, 2 and 3.
Five candidates filed Thursday, all for positions that are currently uncontested.
Paul Mahan filed for re-election as the director-at-large, Position 4 in the Quilcene School District. LuAnn Rogers also filed for re-election as the director of District 2 for the Chimacum School District.
Also in the Chimacum School District, Jack McKay filed for the director of District 5, which is currently held by Kevin Miller.
In Quilcene, Art Frank filed for re-election as the Quilcene Fire District commissioner, Position 1; and MaryAnn Stamper filed for re-election as Quilcene Cemetery District commissioner, Position 2.
After Thursday’s filings, 32 of the 54 offices up for election had one or more candidates filed.
Currently, Jefferson County has only five contested races. Port of Port Townsend Commissioners Brad Clinefelter, who represents District 2, and Peter Hanke, who represents District 3, are being challenged for their positions; and there is a three-way race for the East Jefferson County Hospital District commissioner, Position 1.
In Sequim, both the director and director-at-large positions for the Sequim School District also have had two candidates file.
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Jefferson County Editor/