Elected Positions for the City of Auburn
The City of Auburn operates under a Mayor-Council form of government. This means that the City's voters elect seven (7) at-large council members and a separately elected mayor.
The City Council is the legislative body for the City and the Mayor is the chief administrative officer. The Mayor-Council form of government is the most common of the state's 281 cities with approximately 60% of cities operating under this form of government.
Qualifications to Run for City Council or Mayor
To run for city council or mayor in Auburn, candidate must:
- Be a registered voter in Auburn
- Have lived in Auburn for at least one year consecutively
Important Election Dates for 2023
| Elections 101 Workshop |
April 27, 2023 - Presentation (PDF) |
| Candidate Filing |
May 15-19, 2023 |
| Deadline to Withdraw |
May 22, 2023 |
| Candidate Workshop |
June 13, 2023 - Presentation (PDF), Handout (PDF) |
| Primary Election |
August 1, 2023 |
| General Election |
November 7, 2023 |
Election Cycles in Auburn
Auburn elects seven councilmembers that run on separate two year cycles. In 2023, the odd numbered council positions are up for election:
| Seat |
Current Office Holder |
| Position 1: |
Cheryl Rakes |
| Position 3: |
James Jeyaraj |
| Position 5: |
Robyn Mulenga |
| Position 7: |
Bob Baggett |
In 2025, the mayor and even numbered council positions will be up for election.
Councilmembers serve at-large, meaning each member represents the entire city. The position numbers are simply indicators of which election cycle a position will be in.
How to File to Run for Office in Auburn
Candidates for City of Auburn elected offices must file with King County to be on the ballot during filing week which typically happens the third week of May each year. Since Auburn is located within both King County and Pierce County, King County will share the candidate filing with Pierce County on the candidate's behalf. There is a fee to file for Auburn's elected positions.
For full information for candidates, visit the King County Elections website for candidates.
Information & Additional Resources
Questions?
Please direct any questions to the Office of Equity