Michigan faces a shortage of local clerk candidates, raising alarms about how elections will be run – Michigan Advance

Theyaretheadministratorsofdemocracy,makingsurethatelectionsarefree,fairandefficient.Theymaintaintherecordsoflocalgovernmentandareresponsibleforpublicaccesstothoserecords,includingbirths,deathsandthemarriagesinbetween.    Andyet,nearly10%ofthe1,240townshipclerkpositionsthatareupforelectionthisyearinMichiganhavenocandidateswillingtostepupandfillthem. That’saccordingtoCantonTownshipClerkMichaelSiegrist,whoalsoservesassecondvicepresidentoftheMichiganAssociationofMunicipalClerks(MAMC).Inasocialmediapostthismonth,Siegristpointedtothesituationasonethat’snotbeenexperiencedbefore. “WhatifItoldyouthat118townshipshavenobodyrunningforClerkthisyear.We’veneverseenanythinglikethisinhistory.9.5%ofallclerkracesthisyearwillhaveNOBODYelected,”hesaid,beforeposingaseriesofquestions.“Whydoesn’tanyonewanttodothisjob?Howdoesastatedealwithsuchamassivelaborshortage?Whowillrunelectionsin