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Rep. Wartz proposes bill to let townships contract outside clerks when vacancies leave no deputy available
Summary
Representative Wartz told the House Committee on Election Integrity that House Bill 5717 would let townships contract with accredited, qualified individuals to perform clerk duties when a township has no available deputy; witnesses said rural townships face staffing shortages driven by low pay and increased election responsibilities.
Representative Wartz, sponsor of House Bill 5717, told the House Committee on Election Integrity the measure would "require townships to contract with a qualified individual to fill in for a vacant clerkship when no deputy is available." She said the change responds to rural townships that cannot find an elector inside the township willing and able to perform the clerk duties.
Hillsdale County Clerk Abe Dayne, testifying in support, described practical strain on local clerks and the accreditation burden tied to modern election administration. "A lot of my township clerks make about $10,000 a year, maybe $15,000 a year," Dayne said, and reported that roughly half of his township clerks either…
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