Clare County approves conditional hiring to run expanded early voting; cost split approved for participating jurisdictions

The Clare County Board of Commissioners voted to allow the county clerk to hire an election coordinator and to create an office-manager position (to be filled by promotion from within) provided local townships and cities sign intergovernmental agreements to share the cost of running nine days of early voting required by a recent state constitutional change.

Lori Traylor, Clare County clerk, told the board she estimated the countywide cost to run the nine days of early voting in 2024 — covering the presidential primary, the August primary and the November general — at about $400,000 if the county runs early voting for all jurisdictions. Traylor said that estimate does not include each jurisdiction’s normal election‑day costs and that the per‑jurisdiction amount will fall as more jurisdictions participate.

The clerk said she plans to hire immediately but would not complete a hire until intergovernmental agreements are signed. “I can start the process, but I can’t actually hire until the agreements are prepared and signed,” Traylor told commissioners. She estimated it would take six to eight weeks from posting to place a person in the role.

Why it matters: a statewide constitutional change expanded early-voting hours for state and federal elections, and clerks warned many townships lack enough regular election inspectors to staff the extended schedule. Traylor and other clerks said consolidation — having the county run early voting for multiple townships — could lower staffing costs and reduce the risk that smaller jurisdictions cannot find enough workers.

Board discussion centered on cost allocation and timing. Commissioners and township representatives debated whether to charge participants equally or allocate costs by population. The board approved a separate motion to charge participating jurisdictions equally; commissioners characterized equal division as the simplest approach and said they will finalize the precise payment schedule in follow-up motions and in the intergovernmental agreements.

Public comment echoed both logistical and staffing concerns. John Marion, a longtime election inspector, told the board recruiting volunteer inspectors for extended, multi‑day schedules will be “a huge challenge” and urged consolidation to ensure elections are staffed. Tina Kiel, representing Grand Township, said her office receives direct outreach from the clerk and that local clerks have been in frequent communication with county staff.

What’s next: Traylor said she would circulate draft intergovernmental agreements and allow townships and cities time to approve them at their boards. She asked for the board’s approval to begin hiring steps now, with final hires contingent on signed agreements. Commissioners voted to approve the clerk’s conditional hiring motion and the equal-cost allocation approach; roll calls recorded the motions as carried.

The board also discussed potential partial reimbursement from the state for these additional election costs; commissioners noted that any state reimbursement language will be included in the intergovernmental agreements so participating jurisdictions’ shares would be reduced if state funds come through.