The filing period for the August primary and November general election is May 14-18, but candidates will start filing April 30.

Candidates can start filing by mail beginning April 30.

Online and in-person filers must wait until May 14.

Candidates for jurisdictions that are totally in Snohomish County, like the 21st Legislative District, file at the county auditor’s office in Everett, but candidates for districts that cross county lines, like the 1st and 32nd legislative districts and the 2nd and 7th congressional districts, file at the secretary of state’s office in Olympia.

County Elections Manager Garth Fell says that he encourages candidates to file online.

He said Thursday that candidates who come to the office are given a computer and directions for online filing.

Using online filing allows information to go directly into county and state elections records.

Evan Smith can be reached at schsmith@frontier.com.