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Somerset commissioners approve ballot language to consider making register of deeds an appointed post
Summary
After hearing from the register of deeds, commissioners approved placing 2024 ballot language on the November ballot to let Somerset County voters consider changing the register of deeds from an elected to an appointed position; the speaker urged outreach and education to build public trust.
TANYA, the county register of deeds, spoke to Somerset County commissioners about whether the registry position should remain elected or become an appointed office. Tanya said she supports keeping the position appointed and urged the board to educate voters before a fall referendum.
"I am in support of it being appointed rather than an elected position," she said, adding that appointment offers oversight through the administrator, deputy administrator and commissioners and would provide stability and protection from partisan turnover.
Commissioners discussed charter-language constraints and the need for careful ballot wording. County staff noted guidance from the Secretary of State’s office that counties may include a question on the printed ballot and that the county must submit final language by Aug. 26 for November printing.
The board moved a resolution (titled in the packet as Resolution 25 1 36) to authorize use of the 2024 ballot language for an appointed register-of-deeds question on the November 2025 ballot. Commissioners said public education about the charter and the position’s current stipend status will be central to an outreach effort ahead of the vote.
No formal vote totals were recorded in the transcript, but meeting minutes show the board agreed to place the question on the ballot and to prepare materials to explain the proposed change to voters.
