The San Juan County Council has approved, based on petitions submitted last summer, a proposition for the formation of a public hospital district on Orcas Island. The question of formation will go to the voters of Orcas Island in the April 24, 2018, election. Also on the ballot will be the election of five commissioners for the new district. If the formation measure fails, the results of the commissioner races will be voided.

Persons who are interested in serving as commissioners for the new district must file to run for office. Candidate Filing Week is scheduled for the week of February 5 through February 9. During filing week, candidates may submit their filings online, by email, by fax, or in person at the San Juan County Elections Office at 55 Second Street, Friday Harbor. Online candidate filing will be available Monday, February 5 at 9 a.m. through Friday, February 9 at 4 p.m. In person, emailed and faxed filings will be accepted Monday, February 5 at 8 a.m. through Friday, February 9 at 4:30 p.m.

Mailed filings will be accepted if they are received at the Elections Office no earlier than Monday, January 22, and no later than Friday, February 9. If filing by mail, forms should be mailed to San Juan County Auditor, Elections Office, PO Box 638, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.

Candidates should consider filing online. Candidates who file online will receive not only confirmation of their filing, but also updates when other candidates file for that office. Candidates can file from home on their personal computers, or may file on a computer at the Elections Office. To file online, go to the Elections webpage at www.sanjuanco.com/elections and navigate to “Candidate Filing Online.”

The following offices will be open for filing for the San Juan County Public Hospital District #3. For more information about filing, call the Elections Office at (360) 378-3357.

Proposed San Juan County Public Hospital District #3: San Juan County Public Hospital District #3 Position 1; San Juan County Public Hospital District #3 Position 2; San Juan County Public Hospital District #3 Position 3; San Juan County Public Hospital District #3 Position 4; San Juan County Public Hospital District #3 Position 5.