Filing deadline

Today is the last day candidates can file with the Secretary of State's Office in Olympia to get a spot on the Nov. 7 midterm ballot, which will include a U.S. Senate seat, nine races for Congress, three seats on the state Supreme Court, eight Court of Appeals races and five Superior Court seats, as well as all state House seats and about half of the state Senate seats.

Offices in most noncharter counties are up for election as well as some other local positions.

All candidates for federal offices, statewide offices and legislative or judicial districts that encompass more than one county must file with the secretary of state.

Candidates for legislative offices, courts of appeal and Superior Court positions that are within one county have the choice of filing with the Office of the Secretary of State or their local county auditor. Candidates for all other offices must file with their local county auditor.

Candidates may file with the Office of the Secretary of State by mail, in person or online. The deadline for paper filings — declarations of candidacy and fees — is 5 p.m. today. That means paperwork must be in the hands of election workers at the Legislative Building no later than then.

This is the fifth consecutive year candidates can file with the Office of the Secretary of State online. But electronic filings will be accepted only until 4 p.m. today. A list of county auditor offices where candidates can file for local offices is online at www.secstate.wa.gov/elections.

Pick your place

Where's the best spot to view Saturday's Torchlight Parade? Just about anywhere along the parade's 2 ½-mile route probably would be fine. But lots of Torchlight regulars point to Westlake Center — the parade's midpoint, in the heart of town.

Parade-goers typically arrive early to claim their sidewalk space for Seafair's popular Torchlight Parade and the fun runs that precede the parade.

The parade is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. at Seattle Center and move south on Fourth Avenue to Second Avenue South and South King Street.

The Torchlight Runs will start and finish near Qwest Field on Occidental Avenue South. As runners head for the finish line, the route is the same — Fourth Avenue — as the parade route.

Today

• Washington State Ferries will host another of its free "Picnic at the Pier" concerts this afternoon on Seattle's waterfront. The Shifty Sailors, a Whidbey Island group, will perform songs of the sea and folklore from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at the Colman Dock ferry terminal at Pier 52. The show will be on the pier's passenger level and is open to the public.

For your information

King County is urging visitors to the county's parks and trails to log on to parksfeedback.com and tell parks managers what you think about your park or trail experience.

County officials said the Web site gives parks and trail users a direct line to parks managers and staff. The county is encouraging the public to report any dangerous conditions or general maintenance concerns.

Here & Now is compiled by Seattle Times staff reporter Charles E. Brown and news assistant Suesan Whitney Henderson. To submit an item, e-mail herenow@seattletimes.com or call 206-464-2226.