Partisan Elections

Federal Offices - Partisan

President/Vice President

  • The President must be at least 35 years of age and born in the U.S.
  • The chief duty of the President is to execute the laws of the U.S. The President is the commander in chief of the U.S. armed forces, has the power to make treaties with foreign governments (with U.S. Senate approval), and has the power to veto (reject) laws passed by Congress.
  • The Vice President becomes President if the Office of the President becomes vacant. The Vice President also serves as the presiding officer of the U.S. Senate.

U.S. Senator

  • U.S. Senators must be at least 30 years of age, have U.S. citizenship for at least nine years, and be a registered voter of the state from which they're elected. U.S. Senators serve six-year terms.
  • The Senate and House have equal responsibility for declaring war, maintaining the armed forces, assessing taxes, borrowing money, minting money, regulating commerce, and making all laws necessary for the operation of government.

U.S. Representative

  • U.S. Representatives must be at least 25 years of age, have U.S. citizenship for at least seven years, and be a registered voter of the state from which they're elected. U.S. Representatives serve two-year terms.
  • The Senate and House have equal responsibility for declaring war, maintaining the armed forces, assessing taxes, borrowing money, minting money, regulating commerce, and making all laws necessary for the operation of government.

State Executive Offices - Partisan

Governor

  • The Governor is the chief executive officer of the state. The Governor makes appointments for hundreds of positions, including directors of state agencies, reports annually to the Legislature on affairs of the state, and may veto (reject) legislation passed by the Legislature.

Lieutenant Governor

  • The Lieutenant Governor acts as Governor if the Governor can't perform the official duties of the office and is first in line of succession if the Office of the Governor becomes vacant. The Lieutenant Governor is the presiding officer of the state Senate.

Secretary of State 

  • The Secretary of State is the state's chief elections officer, chief corporation officer, and oversees the state Archives and Library. The Secretary of State is second in line of succession for the Office of the Governor after the Lieutenant Governor.

Treasurer

  • The Treasurer's principal duties include managing and dispersing all funds and accounts, responsibility for all state investments, paying interest and principal on state bonded indebtedness, and maintaining a revenue collection system for deposits into the Treasury.

Auditor

  • The State Auditor conducts independent financial, accountability and performance audits of all Washington state governments. The Auditor investigates whistleblower complaints and reports of fraud, waste and abuse received through its citizen hotline.

Attorney General

  • The Attorney General serves as legal counsel to the Governor, members of the Legislature, state officials, state agencies, boards and commissions, and colleges and universities

Commissioner of Public Lands 

  • The Commissioner of Public Lands leads the Department of Natural Resources, overseeing the management of 5 million acres of state forest, agricultural, range, tidal and shore lands.

Insurance Commissioner

  • The Office of the Insurance Commissioner regulates insurance companies doing business in Washington, licenses agents and brokers, reviews policies and rates, examines the operations and finances of insurers, and handles inquiries and complaints from the public.

State Legislative Offices - Partisan

State Senator

  • State Senators serve four-year terms. The State Senate's only exclusive duty is to confirm appointments by the Governor. During legislative sessions, the Legislature enacts or rejects legislation affecting public policy in the state, provide for the levy and collection of taxes and other revenue to support state government and assist local government, and appropriate funds for these purposes.

State Representative

  • State Representatives serve two-year terms. During legislative sessions, the Legislature enacts or rejects legislation affecting public policy in the state, provide for the levy and collection of taxes and other revenue to support state government and assist local government, and appropriate funds for these purposes.

County Offices - Partisan

Assessor 

  • The Assessor determines the fair market value of all real and personal property in order to calculate property taxes. The Assessor also manages property value exemption and reduction programs.

Auditor 

  • The Auditor conducts federal, state, and local elections; processes licenses and titles; records and preserves all real estate documents for the county; and provides internal county financial services and guidance, including accounting, financial reporting, accounts payable and payroll.

Clerk 

  • The Clerk preserves free access to a fair, accurate and independently-established record of the opinions, decisions and judgments of the court.

Coroner 

  • The Coroner investigates all sudden, violent, suspicious and unusual deaths occurring in the county. The Coroner also certifies death certificates, notifies next of kin, and inventories/releases personal property.

County Commissioner 

  • County commissioners serve as the local government and legislative authority outside city limits. The commission oversees county policies, approves the county budget, and manages other duties as directed by the State Legislature

Prosecuting Attorney 

  • The Prosecuting Attorney prosecutes criminal actions in Superior, District and Juvenile Court. The Prosecuting Attorney also provides legal advice and represents county officials in civil actions, handles paternity and child support collection cases, and assists victims and survivors throughout the criminal prosecution of their offenders.

Sheriff 

  • The Sheriff is responsible for law enforcement, jail facilities management, civil and legal processing, and emergency operations.

Treasurer 

  • The Treasurer provides banking, investment, debt and cash management services and collects property taxes for the county and all local governments within the county, except cities.

Political Party Office - Partisan

Precinct Committee Officer 

  • A Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) is an elected official in either the Douglas County Democratic or Republican Party. The office establishes a direct link between the party and the voters in the local precinct.