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County clerk reports surge in passports and record consolidated-election turnout; Save Act not yet law
Summary
The county clerk reported a sharp increase in passport applications and record turnout in a recent consolidated election, explained rising use of early and vote-by-mail options, and said the Save Act had passed the House but not the Senate so offices will follow law when it becomes final.
The county clerk reported to the Public Service Committee on April 17 that passport demand has climbed sharply and that consolidated-election turnout set recent records.
"We're past that in the first 4 months of the year already," the county clerk said of passport-fee revenue, noting the office's first-quarter passport totals already exceeded prior single-year highs and that the passport service is a growing revenue source separate from property taxes.
Why it matters: The clerk's office said higher passport volume and increased requests for birth records have raised in-person traffic, and that Real ID requirements may drive additional demand. On elections, the clerk said the county set a record for total votes cast in a consolidated election going back to the 1980s and that turnout percentage was the highest since 2005. The office also reported a shift toward voting before Election Day: about 60% of ballots are now cast via early voting or vote by mail.
On pending legislation, the clerk said the Save Act had passed the state House but not the Senate and that the clerk's office will implement any new legal requirements once a bill becomes law. The clerk also discussed recent First Amendment auditor visits to county offices and said staff sought to reduce impact on residents receiving sensitive services.
Ending: The clerk said staff will continue to support elections and growing passport demand and will follow state law and the county's legal guidance as changes are enacted.
