Political hopefuls get tips on how to run

By Jenny Lynn Zappala

Enterprise writer

The hotter the summer weather gets in June, the farther away the autumn election season seems to be. But many candidates firmly committed to their cause or toying with the idea are getting ready to run.

Aspiring politicians or curious citizens can sign up for the annual Snohomish County Candidate Workshop on June 30, hosted by the County Auditor’s Office. Attendees will learn the nuts and bolts of running for office, like how to get your name on the ballot and report campaign contributions. It’s worth the effort, according to Pat Cordova, 68, a former Mountlake Terrace mayor and city councilwoman.

“There are people out there who really care and I hope those are the kind of people who run for council in any city. Cities need really caring people who will dedicate their time and intelligence to issues,” said Cordova, who served on the city council for about 16 years. “You need to be your own person and you need to work for the whole community. If you feel that is what you want to do, you should run.”

Tina Roberts-Martinez, a former Lynnwood mayor and city councilwoman, agrees that serving can be a rewarding experience if you’re ready for it.

“You have to have a strong backbone,” Roberts-Martinez said. “You are not going to please all of the people.”

The first hurdle is filing week. Candidates must file between July 25-29 at the County Auditor’s office to get on the ballot. The forms can be picked up at the County Auditor’s Office, 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett. The office is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Some candidates mail in the form or have someone else bring it, but the form must be notarized.

There are minimum qualifications to get on the ballot. For city councils, individuals must be a registered voter and resident for at least one year. For the county council, individuals must be a registered voter and resident of Snohomish County for at least 3 years.

Aspiring candidates should also consider the time and commitment involved, Cordova said. She spent about 15 hours a week as a council member, including reading reports and talking to residents. Candidates should not be intimidated by complicated studies or budgets, Cordova said. City employees are on hand to provide summaries and answer questions.

“You don’t have to know the ordinances by heart,” Cordova said. “That is what staff is for. Don’t ever be intimidated by city hall.”

Candidates don’t have to wait until late July to start campaigning. They can start raising money, recruiting campaign workers or advertising, but they have to tell the Public Disclosure Commission. Founded in 1973 by voter initiative, the commission keeps track of financial affairs of public officials and candidates and make the information public.

Candidates need to notify the Public Disclosure Commission within two weeks of becoming a candidate. It can be as easy as publicly stating your intention to run at any public gathering, which is why some politicians are careful about what they say publicly.

Candidates should check with the local city hall for city-wide election rules, suggested Waters. Some cities have restrictions about where and how to display campaign signs.

Roberts-Martinez strongly recommends candidates do their homework. Anyone can get an informal education about city-related issues by attending public events, like city council and planning commission meetings. They should also get ready to work with their peers.

“If you wanted something done, you had to make sure you had four votes to get it through,” Roberts-Martinez said. “You never do anything by yourself. Never, ever.”