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Washington Debuts Online Candidate Filing

Point and click to run for political office.

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Secretary of State Sam Reed said Washington has rolled out the first system in America to allow candidates to file for office electronically.

"On the technology front, this is an historic day for Washington," Reed said, in a statement. "Washington is the first state in America to make this technology available. We are shifting toward a more efficient, digital government that is more responsive to its customers."

Online filing is available to candidates running for all federal offices, all statewide offices, joint legislative districts and joint judicial districts -- those districts where voters in more than one county determine races.

Officials said the new electronic method is as secure as filing through the mail or filing in-person. Candidates filing electronically must pay their filing fees with a credit card that either matches the candidate's name or the name of the candidate's campaign.

The secretary of state's Web site will use the highest level of security available for online transactions. After filing, the candidate will receive an e-mail confirmation of his or her Declaration of Candidacy.

No Declaration of Candidacy will be posted online until elections staff have put the application through an exhaustive check by and determine that the application is valid.

"We are moving elections administration into the 21st century," said Reed. "This new system will increase access to the political process while guarding against fraud."

Online candidate filing is available until Friday, July 26 at 4:00 PM.

Office of Washington's Secretary of State