Larson, Snyder outline records, privacy and cybersecurity priorities at Winnebago County Register of Deeds forum

Christopher Larson, chief deputy register of deeds for Winnebago County, and Susan Snyder, Black Wolf town clerk and Republican candidate, addressed voters at a League of Women Voters Winnebago County candidate forum broadcast on Oshkosh Media. The forum covered the office’s records responsibilities, new privacy-shielding legislation, cybersecurity and customer service ahead of the Nov. 5 election.

The Register of Deeds office, candidates said, maintains land records and vital records and must keep them accessible for title searches, family history and other public uses. "These records have to be available instantly," Larson said, describing the office’s imaging and indexing work and the need to make both historic and recent documents accessible. Snyder said the office's goals are "safe archival storage and convenient access for everyone to these public records."

Why it matters: the forum highlighted a pending shift in how some records may be handled. Larson and Snyder both raised privacy-shielding laws as a key upcoming change for register of deeds offices. Larson described recent legislation and related software changes that would let people request certain documents be shielded from public view and allow limited, temporary access for title work. He called the rollout "a huge change" and said counties are still working through how to execute the program when it takes effect. Larson said the new process includes a software module implemented to manage shielded records and temporary access.

Both candidates discussed cybersecurity and data integrity as priorities. Larson said Winnebago County employs an IT team that conducts training and simulated phishing tests and that registrars coordinate with the Wisconsin Register of Deeds Association on emerging threats. "It's just a matter of staying one step ahead of cyber criminals and working with IT and just being aware of how to minimize that risk," he said. Snyder said she plans to "meet with the IT department so I can become fully knowledgeable about where we're at," and to consult with other register of deeds offices on software and practices.

On customer service and internal operations, Larson emphasized helping residents who arrive at the office during stressful life events, such as after the death of a family member: "People should leave the register of deeds office with a feeling that a genuine effort has been made to help them." Snyder highlighted continuous quality improvement, staff training and one-on-one meetings with long-tenured employees to streamline processes and improve service.

Both candidates described familiarity with budgets and statutes differently. Larson, who has served as chief deputy and was acting register in 2016, said the office currently runs efficiently on its budget and that county budget processes force careful scrutiny of needs. Snyder said she is experienced in municipal budgeting and would apply that background to the county office. During questioning, the forum moderator read (and candidates referenced) Wisconsin statutes chapter 59.43 on the duties and fees of registers of deeds.

On the office’s status as an elected, partisan position under the Wisconsin Constitution, Larson said the public reaction he has seen is surprise that the office is partisan; Snyder said she "stands behind what the constitution currently dictates" while allowing that voters could consider changes in the future.

Other items raised at the forum included outreach to title companies, funeral homes, land surveyors and attorneys to solicit feedback on current interactions with the office and the role of the Wisconsin Register of Deeds Association in sharing best practices and training.

The forum was hosted by Margie Davie, president of League of Women Voters Winnebago County, and included panelist Karen Schneider, publisher of the Oshkosh Herald and Nina News. Davie reminded viewers that the League is nonpartisan: "We never support nor oppose any political party or candidate," she said at the start of the forum.

Election details noted at the forum: the candidates on the Nov. 5 ballot are Christopher Larson (Democrat) and Susan Snyder (Republican). The forum announced that polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day and that voters must show a photo ID at the polls; early in-person absentee voting availability varies by municipality.

Votes at a glance: no formal governmental votes or motions were part of this forum; it was an informational candidate forum and not a decision-making meeting.