Candidate Filing Week, the official kickoff of the 2013 campaign season, is coming soon.

For candidates throughout Washington, including local offices and three State Senate seats, it all begins Monday morning with the launch of Filing Week.

For state offices, online filing begins Monday at 9 a.m. and runs night and day until 4 p.m. Friday, May 17. (Some county elections departments provide online filing, too.) In-person filing with the Secretary of State starts Monday at 8 a.m. and ends at close of business (5 p.m.) on Friday.

Candidates file with either the Secretary of State or the County Auditor, depending on the office. If you’re running for a legislative or judicial office encompassing more than one county, you file with the Secretary of State. You can file online, by mail, or in person. In-person candidate filing at the Secretary of State’s office will be at our Executive Office on the second floor of the Legislative Building our Elections Division’s office, 520 Union Ave. SE in Olympia. If you’re running for a legislative or judicial office within one county, you file with your county elections office.

All declarations must be received by the end of the business day on May 17. And what if you change your mind after filing and decide you don’t want to run after all? May 20 is the last day for candidates to withdraw.

Go here to learn how to file for office and here to see the eight state offices open for election this year and the filing fee for each one.

For those planning to run for Appeals Court judge or Superior Court judge this year, Gov. Inslee has signed  a Top 2 elections bill into law that requires the two primary favorites for each race for Supreme Court, Appeals Court and Superior Court to advance to the 2013 General Election ballot.

If you have questions about the Top 2 Primary, check out this FAQ section.