Page 6 - Clinton Currents Volume XIX Issue 1 - Winter 2019

Page 6
Winter 2019
A message from your Township Clerk
2018 year end
As we approach the end of the year, it is appropriate to look back and take pride of our accomplishments but also analyze the things we can work to improve going forward.
In 2018, most of the Clerk’s staff was consumed with elections. In total, we hosted three successful elections – May, August and November. This, by far, was the busiest election year since I rst began serving as your Township Clerk in 2012.
There were many new procedures that were put into place for the rst time in 2018. The State of Michigan rolled out the new voting machines that we rst used in the May election. From the voters experience very little changed, however from the election worker’s experience, there was much to learn. The Clerk’s staff spent many hours rewriting procedures and verifying they complied with State of Michigan election law. The most important change we made was to offer extended opportunities for election workers to be trained. By November’s election, we offered election workers the opportunity to participate in two months of electronic poll book training. This resulted in a very successful election. While large communities in other states were struggling to report their results, Clinton Township, with more than 76,000 voters accurately reported our results in a very timely manner.
Election fraud (not!)
I’d like to share with you an educated point of view. As your clerk for six years, I’ve seen rsthand how the election process works. From my experience and
contrary to media reports, elections are not fraught with fraud. However, sometimes there are human errors. Going forward, I will continue to re ne our processes to give voters the best election experience possible.
Election Day voter turnout – some of the highest numbers!
Michigan is unique in that local
clerks run elections. In other
states, counties run elections.
Because there are so many
election workers in our election
process, it is next to impossible to be successful in any attempt at widespread voter fraud. Also, Michigan still maintains a paper ballot, which would immediately show any widespread fraud upon recount. If you recall, Michigan underwent a statewide recount and a county recount and both times the results varied insigni cantly. I hope this calms any fear Township residents might have about election fraud. If you have concerns or questions, please contact my office and we will explain to you how the process works in more detail. Better yet, why not consider becoming an election inspector and participate in the process? It’s the best way to learn. Presently, our daily rate of pay for inspectors is $175, $275 for co-chairs, and $300 for chairs. Ask any election worker and they will tell you it is an honor to participate in this important process.
Thank you!
I’d like to once more thank my staff in the Clerk’s office, all the election workers, and the L’Anse Creuse and Chippewa Valley honor students, who did an awesome job serving Clinton Township voters on Election Day. All of us in Clinton Township are very blessed to have you serve them.
Clerk Kim Meltzer