VOTE411 Voter Guide

I choose to run to bring hope, my empathy, my determination to the clerk's office. Although I may not have the experience of being a clerk, I have the experience of a human that has taken every opportunity, every chance to make positive changes in the world around her. I may not have had the actual title of clerk, but I am a business owner, I am my own bookkeeper, I know how to effectively communicate with various organizations, work with others as a servant leader because each person brings something to the table, and I know above all else how to keep things confidential and secure because ad therapists say “what is said here stays here”. I am also civic minded, people oriented, and dedicated to strengthening the county from within.

The priority issues facing the clerk's office are a lack of transparency because many county residents do not even know what a clerk does. They also are facing a lack of updated technology which hinders not only progress at the clerk's office but also at polling location. The servers at the office are outdated and the time used to work with them takes valuable time away from working for the actual people of the community. The recruitment, education and all the processes in between of training workers/volunteers for polling locations can be daunting. A more streamlined way needs to be applied so that from start to finish workers know what they are doing, and community members can get out to vote without losing precious work time.

This starts with technology itself, we need to ensure that all technology is up to date and protected by using the proper security software. Even one small lag in voting software could lead to a cyber attack from outside, or a window for malware to disrupt vital election information.This also goes also with ensuring that all passwords/usernames for servers are up kept confidential, and changed frequently to ensure that they do not fall into the wrong hands. Finally, proper training, support, and bringing LEAN procedures to polling locations will ensure that all processes are streamlined, easy to follow, and done in such a way that integrity and security are always number one.

As someone who has dedicated the last 22 years to serving the residents of Lincoln Charter Township at the local level, I understand firsthand the importance of being accessible to our residents. If elected as Berrien County Clerk, I will continue to prioritize accessibility, transparency, and accountability in serving the needs of our community. Having executed many elections since becoming Township Clerk in 2008, gives me the experience needed to be the Berrien County Clerk, to assist the County Residents and local clerks.

My local experience also gives me the advantage in many other areas; completely a $12.5 million Township budget annually, human resources for staff , care of the cemeteries and record keeper for all Township records.

The County Clerk's office handles numerous responsibilities, with election administration often at the forefront. However, the Clerk also manages vital records, serves as the Clerk of the Court, issues various licenses and permits, oversees public records access, and takes on financial duties, among others.

A key priority that spans all these responsibilities is ensuring transparency and accessibility for residents. Including; Providing comprehensive education on election processes to foster public trust. Offering quick and affordable access to public records to ensure openness. Streamlining internal processes to enhance efficiency and reduce the burden on staff. Maintain a high standard of service and accountability to the residents.

Election administration is one of the most visible responsibilities of the County Clerk. Voter education and outreach is essential in this regard, as it helps build public trust in the election system. The office must work diligently to provide clear, comprehensive information about the election process, voter registration, early voting, mail-in ballots, and polling locations. By making this information easily accessible and understandable to all residents, the County Clerk can ensure higher voter participation and minimize confusion or mistrust. Transparency in elections is also critical. The office must ensure that election results are reported accurately and promptly, and that residents feel confident in the integrity of the process.