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Board selects Thomas Wirtz and Cheryl Goss as county canvassers
Summary
Following brief candidate statements, the board elected Thomas Wirtz (Democrat) and Cheryl Goss (Republican) to four-year terms on the county board of canvassers; each candidate received five votes in the board ballot.
Grand Traverse County commissioners elected two county canvassers in an open-ballot vote. Thomas Wirtz, an incumbent canvasser and retired emergency physician, was chosen as the Democratic canvasser; Cheryl Goss, a former Whitewater Township clerk, was chosen as the Republican canvasser.
Candidates each introduced themselves and explained relevant experience. Leah Mascovitz (village clerk, Elk Rapids) described her statutory knowledge and clerking experience; Thomas Wirtz said the canvassers had developed a standardized checklist and two-person team approach to reduce errors: "We put together a checklist that we do with every single ballot issue ... to make sure that we all follow the same process." Cheryl Goss emphasized nonpartisan adherence to law and procedure: "... whether I'm working with another Republican or ... a Democrat, we're going to follow the law."
After commissioners cast ballots, county staff confirmed five votes for Cheryl Goss and five votes for Thomas Wirtz, and administration declared them the winners. The board thanked all candidates for participating and instructed staff to notify the winners and complete any appointment paperwork.
The selections fill two four-year canvasser terms; the board will incorporate the new canvassers into the county's election-certification process.
