The Office of the Secretary of the State is reminding school boards that there has been a change in the deadline for filing resolutions to request a special election. This is especially important for those planning an election in February, as the first new deadline — Dec. 15 — is quickly approaching.

Under legislation, approved earlier this year, jurisdictions must now present resolutions for any of the four spring special election dates to the county auditor at least 52 days prior to the election, rather than the 45 days specified in the old law. Resolutions to appear on the primary or general election ballot must now be presented to the county auditor at least 84 days prior to the election.

The first special election in 2007 is Feb. 6. Under the new law, resolutions for this election must be submitted no later than Dec. 15, 2006.

Here are the deadlines for 2007:

The legislation also moved candidate filing week to the first week in June and changed the primary to the third Tuesday in August. A full election calendar is listed on the Secretary of State Web site at www.secstate.wa.gov/elections.

For more information, contact Katie Blinn, Assistant Director of Elections, at 360/902-4168 .