County clerk urges consolidated early-voting site, new software and more staff

Adam Clark, Berrien County clerk, told the board the clerk’s office will deliver its annual guide and highlighted priorities for the coming year: consolidating early-voting operations, upgrading software and adding staff to handle rising workloads.

Clark said the clerk’s office secured about $226,000 in state grant money that reduced costs for local jurisdictions and credited former Clerk Sharon Tyler and staff for accomplishments over the past year. He reported modest changes in vital records — a slight decrease in births, a marginal increase in marriages and an increase in deaths — and said concealed-pistol-license (CPL) permit activity rose, with the office receiving both applications and renewals.

On elections, Clark said early voting expanded under Proposition 2022 and the office operated two early-voting sites this cycle: one at South County and one at LMC. He said about 13,000 voters cast early ballots at the in-person sites in November. Clark urged the board to help find a centrally located county-owned building that could house staff, be publicly accessible and provide secure, climate-controlled storage for election equipment. He said the state has indicated grant support will be limited going forward and reminded commissioners that election equipment recertification is scheduled in 2027.

Clark also identified software needs: a modern, mobile-friendly vital-records system to allow online applications for birth certificates and more user-friendly campaign-finance software that would permit filers and the public to view and pay from online portals. He said the current systems are outdated and that newer products offer greater transparency and ease of use.

On personnel, Clark said court workload and statute-driven changes are increasing staff workload and recommended competitive pay to retain staff; he noted neighboring court staff perform similar duties for lower pay levels and called that a problem for recruitment and retention.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about online access to campaign-finance reports, how often two early-voting sites will be required and security needs for equipment storage. Clark said two early-voting facilities would be needed every two years for larger cycles unless the county can locate a single county-owned site that houses all equipment and staff. He described storage requirements as secure, temperature-controlled space with restricted access and fob controls. Clark said he is working with county staff, including Don Trail and Brian, to identify potential facilities.

The clerk closed by reiterating the priorities: centralize early voting and equipment storage, upgrade vital-records and campaign-finance software, and address staffing and ADA-compliance issues at public counters.