The Aug. 6 primary election ballot for Snohomish County promises to be packed, with 180 offices in 73 jurisdictions up for election, so Snohomish County Elections Manager Garth Fell looks forward to seeing a good number of candidates file for those races.

“We’ve got a number of local races this year,” Fell said. “So, for those who are looking for an opportunity to serve, feel they’re qualified and can serve ably, I’d encourage them to put their names forward.”

While the deadlines for filing for office, by mail, online or in person are all May 17, the county already began allowing candidates to file by mail starting April 29, whereas those who wish to file online or in person must wait until May 13 to do so.

“The May 13-17 week for filing online and in-person was passed by the state Legislature two years ago, to allow for two weeks prior to Memorial Day and give everyone plenty of time to prepare,” said Fell, who added that the window for candidates who have filed to withdraw their names from the ballot is May 13-20. “As it stands, we expect hundreds of people to file for these offices.”

Fell explained that online candidate filing is likewise not a new procedure to Snohomish County, and while he welcomed candidates to file in person, at the Elections and Voter Registration Division’s offices in the Snohomish County Courthouse at 3000 Rockefeller Ave. in Everett, he noted that candidates would still be filing online on a computer in their offices.

“The process is the same whether you’re at home or at our offices,” Fell said. “The one key difference is that all online filing outside of our offices must be completed by 4 p.m. on May 17, while in-person filing can be done at our offices until 5 p.m. that same day.”

Fell invited citizens to contact the Elections and Voter Registration Division’s offices by phone at 425-388-3444, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, or via email at π, with any questions, concerns or other comments they might have.

This year’s races include positions on the city councils and school boards of Arlington and Marysville, as well as the Marysville Municipal Court and the Lakewood School Board.