Sally Jackson ran for Fire District 1 commissioner in 1977 because some firefighters asked her to run. She ran for the Central Valley School Board in 1979 because some teachers asked her to run. She ran for the Washington Legislature three times in the 1980s because she didn’t believe state leaders were doing enough to protect and educate children.

She didn’t win any of the elections, though she came close several times. She doesn’t regret any of the campaigns, though they cost her time, energy, money and, sometimes, friends.

“I ran on principle,” she says now. “I did what I thought was right.”

Sally Jackson, profiled below, might provide some encouragement for those who are grappling this week whether to run for elected office. It’s filing week in Washington. All declarations of candidacy must be received by 5 p.m. Friday.

The paperwork begins as soon as you declare yourself as a candidate. Campaign finance disclosure statements exist to keep campaigns as ethical as possible, but the paperwork can overwhelm candidates, those experienced and those running for the first time.

In truly competitive races, campaigning means lots of doorbell ringing, forums, fundraising – and more paperwork. Sometimes even the most local of races can turn ugly, depending on the issues and personalities.

But those people in our community who have run for public office in the past will tell you that the experience opens up the real meaning of democracy in ways that can last a lifetime. Candidates understand the system from the inside out. Though Jackson never held elected office, she became Spokane County Democratic chairwoman in 1989. The experience she gained running for political office helped her in that top post. She had to deal with personalities, politics and paperwork. But by then she was a pro.

Civic scholars and pundits hope the excitement over our country’s high-profile presidential election, especially among young people, trickles down to the state and local levels. Maybe it will mean more candidates for office. Or more people willing to say yes when asked to help in a friend’s campaign. Or more voters exercising their civic right and responsibility in the state’s primary Aug. 19 and in the general election Nov. 4.

Any or all of the above are better than doing nothing or complaining that no one good ever runs for office anymore.

Filling the ballot

It’s filing week in Washington. A candidate for public office must be:

“A citizen of the United States.

“A resident of Washington.

“A registered voter of the county, district or political subdivision in which the candidate intends to seek office.

For more information on the filing process, and to see who has already filed for county and state offices, go to Spokane County Elections, http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/spokane