Tag Archives: Kent County Clerk

We the People 2020 General Election: Kent County countywide office candidates

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Note: For the Michigan Nov. 3 general election, WKTV’s We The People program invited participation from all candidates. If they participated, their videos are linked here. For those who did not participate, either a candidate-provided biography/issues statement, or simply their name is listed. All videos are 5-minutes or less of interview, and were not edited in any way by WKTV.  

Kent County District Attorney

Republican Incumbent Kent County District Attorney Chris Becker, of Ada, is running unopposed for the position.

Chris Becker — Incumbent Kent County District Attorney

Kent County Clerk/Register of Deeds

There are three candidates, Republican incumbent Lisa Posthumus Lyons of Bowen Twp., Democratic candidate Devin Ortega-Furgeson of Wyoming, and Libertarian candidate Jamie Lewis of Grand Rapids.

Lisa Posthumus Lyons — Incumbent Kent County Clerk/Register of Deeds

Occupation: Kent County Clerk/Register of Deeds

Why did you decide to run for this position?

I’m proud to call Kent County my home and am so grateful for the opportunity to serve my community. As a lifelong resident of Kent County, where my husband and I are now raising our four children, I have deep appreciation for the values that make Kent County a wonderful place to live, work, and serve. I am running for re-election as Kent County Clerk/Register to continue providing a strong voice for West Michigan, and to build upon my record of providing efficient, effective, and transparent leadership to Kent County residents.

Please list two to three issues you feel your voters are facing:

I believe the voters of Kent County want their local government to run efficiently and effectively. My office is diverse: Clerk (vital records, elections), Register of Deeds (property records), and Clerk of the Circuit Court (court records). Rapidly changing technology is changing the way we serve the public. During my first term we’ve modernized our vital and land records recording technology, as well as implemented new campaign finance management software for elections. Our next challenge will be the implementation of e-filing of court records. The recent COVID-19 shutdown proved the essential need for citizens to be able to remotely interact with the county, and I’m committed to making that process easier for all residents.
 

Devin Ortega-Furgeson — Candidate Kent County Clerk/Register of Deeds

Jamie Lewis — Candidate Kent County Clerk/Register of Deeds

Kent County Drain Commissioner

There are three candidates, Republican incumbent Ken Yonker of Caledonia, Democratic candidate Elaine Isely of Grand Rapids Twp., and Libertarian candidate Alex Avery of Wyoming.

Elaine Isely — Candidate Kent County Drain Commissioner

Occupation: Water resources professional/attorney, current position is Director of Water Programs at West Michigan Environmental Action Council

Why did you decide to run for this position?

Water is our most important natural resource, and everyone has a right to clean and safe water. I have 15 years experience working on water resource management and stormwater policy issues, and I’d like to bring my expertise and passion for this work to this office to serve the residents of Kent County.

Please list two to three issues you feel your voters are facing:

Water pollution and high water levels. The Drain Commissioner is responsible for stormwater management and water drainage to prevent flooding. Stormwater is our largest source of pollution to our waterways, and flooding can create health hazards and property damage. Kent County deserve a Drain Commissioner who better understands these issues and the impacts they can have on our water system.

Ken Yonker — Incumbent Kent County Drain Commissioner

Alex Avery — Candidate Kent County Drain Commissioner

Kent County Treasurer

There are two candidates, two-term Republican State Sen. Peter MacGregor of Canon Twp., and Democratic candidate Beth White of Grand Rapids.

Peter MacGregor – Candidate for Kent County treasurer

Occupation: Michigan State Senator, District 28

Why did you decide to run for this position?

I have a passion to serve the community I love. With your vote for the next Kent County Treasurer, I can continue to serve our community, where I have run a successful business and raised my family. As part of the Kent County executive team, I want to continue to help our county in areas other than just as the custodian of your tax dollars.  My competencies and experiences will be helpful with Kent County’s services for children, and mental and behavioral health.

 

Please list two to three issues you feel your voters are facing:

The responsibility of a county treasurer is to be the custodian of all county funds and to invest the county’s funds responsibly. The second responsibility is the collection of delinquent property taxes. Due to the pandemic, both residents and businesses are struggling to make ends meet and property taxes are one of the largest expense that they have during these uncertain times. I want to be able to work for those residents who may need a little more time and help to keep their head above water. Continuing fiscal responsibility, maintaining the county’s “Triple A Bond Rating”, and helping our taxpayers through these uncertain times will be the greatest challenge for the next county treasurer.

 

Beth White – Candidate for Kent County treasurer

Occupation: Attorney

Why did you decide to run for this position?

At this point in our history, I believe it is time for every person with integrity and skill to get off the sidelines. That’s why I’m running for Treasurer.

Please list two to three issues you feel your voters are facing:
 

The main concern for voters everywhere is the uncertainty brought about by this unprecedented pandemic. People are worried about their physical and financial health.  They are worried about their jobs. They are worried about educating their children, and keeping them safe. A local county treasurer can’t resolve all of the very real anxieties people are feeling right now. But honest, steady leadership is needed at all levels of government. That’s what I hope to bring to the job.
 

Kent County Sheriff

There are three candidates, Republican incumbent Michelle LaJoye-Young of Caledonia Twp., Democratic candidate Marc Burns of Cascade Twp., and Libertarian candidate John Glen Stedman of Wyoming.

Michelle LaJoye-Young — Incumbent Republican Kent County Sheriff

Occupation: Kent County Sheriff, and 31 years with the department

Why did you decide to run for this position?

I have dedicated my entire adult life to serving the residents of Kent County and am incredibly honored to lead the men and women of the Kent County Sheriff’s Department.  I have the experience in leading the department in thought and direction to guide us forward in meeting the needs of all Kent County residents.  I have lead the department through many challenges and believe that the opportunities to grow and develop are here and there are many ways we can learn from the past and guide the future.

Please list two to three issues you feel your voters are facing:

There have been a lot of public and private conversations regarding policing in America. I think building on the strengths of the police departments in our community is very important. Having experience in leadership to understand what things can be done and what things will be effective is important.

There is a tremendous amount of divisiveness in some of our conversations. To grow as a community we must continue to work on ways that we can come together and build on the wonderful foundation we have in Kent County while ensuring that the opportunity to be safe where we live, work, play and worship is protected for everyone.

Marc Burns — Candidate Kent County Sheriff

Occupation: Current Special Agent in Enforcement, and served for 26 years at the Sheriff’s Department

Why did you decide to run for this position?

I am running for Sheriff because I have most real experience of any candidate and real transparency and accountability must be at the forefront of the Sheriff’s Department.

Please list two to three issues you feel your voters are facing:

Citizens of Kent County need to know I am going to end misuse of tax payer dollars, to end the lack of oversight for accountability by the current administration, to end cronyism and to allow for real change and reform in policing and in our communities.

John Glen Stedman — Candidate Kent County Sheriff

From President Trump to Kent County Clerk, Secretary of State draws opposition for sending voters absentee ballot applications

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The new State of Michigan Absentee Ballot return envelope. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

It took exactly one day for opposition to come rolling in after Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced May 19 that all registered voters in Michigan will receive an application to vote by absentee ballot in the August and November elections.

“By mailing applications, we have ensured that no Michigander has to choose between their health and their right to vote,” Benson said in a statement from her office. “Voting by mail is easy, convenient, safe, and secure, and every voter in Michigan has the right to do it.”

According to the Secretary’s office, of the 7.7 million registered voters in the state, about 1.3 million are on the permanent absent voter list, and their local election clerk mails them applications ahead of every election.

“Additionally, some jurisdictions are mailing applications to all local registered voters,” according to the Secretary’s statement. “The Michigan Department of State’s Bureau of Elections has ensured all remaining registered voters receive an application.”

But ranging from two Wednesday, May 20, Tweets from President Donald J. Trump, to a statement to WKTV from Kent County Clerk/Register Lisa Posthumus Lyons — both Republicans — not everyone agrees with the Democrat Secretary of State’s action.

“My office was not consulted nor had any knowledge that the Secretary of State would be violating the law by sending unsolicited ballot applications,” Lyons said to WKTV. “We support conducting elections according to the constitution and Michigan law, and this practice is unconstitutional.”

A Twitter back and forth

On his official @realDonaldTrump Twitter account, the President today said: “Michigan sends absentee ballots to 7.7 million people ahead of Primaries and the General Election. This was done illegally and without authorization by a rogue Secretary of State. I will ask to hold up funding to Michigan if they want to go down this Voter Fraud path!”

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson

Secretary Benson, responding to the President’s May 20 Tweet, Tweeted herself: “Hi! I also have a name, it’s Jocelyn Benson. And we sent applications, not ballots. Just like my GOP colleagues in Iowa, Georgia, Nebraska and West Virginia.”

After Secretary Benson responded, the President’s original Tweet was deleted and another posted which corrected the original by saying “Michigan sends absentee ballot applications to 7.7 million people …”.

Secretary Benson also defended her action in her original, May 19, statement.

“We appreciate that some clerks are proactively protecting public health by mailing applications to all their registered voters, and we are fulfilling our responsibility to provide all voters equal access,” Benson said in the statement. “We know from the elections that took place this month that during the pandemic Michiganders want to safely vote.”

Mostly absentee May voting set records

According to the Secretary’s statement, record-breaking turnout was recorded in the approximately 50 elections held across 33 counties on May 5, with nearly 25 percent of eligible voters casting ballots and 99 percent of them doing so by mail or in a drop box.

In contrast, from 2010 to 2019, average turnout in local elections in May was 12 percent.

The absentee ballot application mailing from the Bureau of Elections includes a cover letter with instructions from Secretary Benson, according to the statement. Once a voter signs their application, they can mail it or email a photo of it to their local clerk, whose contact information is included on the application. The application is also available for download at Michigan.gov/Vote. At the same website, voters can also register and join the permanent absent voter list so they always have the option to vote by mail.

“The vast majority of voters across the political spectrum want the option to vote by mail,” Benson said in the statement. “Mailing applications to all registered voters is one of the ways that we are ensuring Michigan’s elections will continue to be safe, accurate and secure.”

May ballot was a unique voting process

After an executive order by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the May 5 voting was conducted using a hybrid system of encouraging absentee voting, either by mail or by dropping of absentee ballots, and having only a few vote-in-person sites. The Wyoming and Kentwood city clerk’s offices were the only locations to vote in person in the cities on May 5.

For more information on the May 5 process, see a WKTV story here. For more information on on the local results May 5, see a WKTV story here.

While Kent County election officials, and the city clerks of both Wyoming and Kentwood, abided by the state mandate in May, Kent County Clerk Lyons said her office will conduct the August and November elections by current laws — unless there is another executive order by the Governor.

 

“Until the legislature changes the law or the Governor issues an executive order, we are preparing to run the August and November elections as a normal — with in-person and absentee voting options available,” Lyons said to WKTV. “We will also continue to work with our local clerks to protect the health and safety of election workers and voters while preserving the security and integrity of the election.”

Voter registration — local, county and statewide — setting new records as Nov. 6 looms

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Voters at the voting booth. (Photo by Jeff Miller/UW-Madison)

 

By. K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

If voter registrations are any indicator, all indications are that next week’s Nov. 6 presidential-midterm election turnout could be record-setting in Michigan, in Kent County and in the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming.

 

There are nearly 7.5 million registered voters in the state of Michigan, about 459,000 in Kent County, about 54,000 in the City of Wyoming and about 36,000 in the City of Kentwood, according to information provided to WKTV. Those totals exceed the registered voter totals for the 2016 presidential election on the county and both city levels, and, according to Fred Woodhams, spokesperson for the Secretary of State’s office, “is a (state) record for a mid-term election.”

 

How total voter registration numbers will translate to actual voters at the polls, and those submitting absentee ballots, is unclear at this point. But Robert J. Macomber, Chief Deputy County Clerk with the Kent County Clerk and Register of Deeds Office, give some “indicators”.

 

“It’s always more difficult to predict turnout in a mid-term election, when a Presidential race is not on the ballot,” Macomber said to WKTV. “Kent County tends to turn out in the high 60’s percent range for Presidential elections and in the mid 40’s, when the Governor’s office is at the top of the ticket.

 

“However, there are indicators that can guide our clerks as they plan to allocate resources for Election Day, such as absentee ballot voting. We’ve seen those requests hit a record high statewide – over 1 million requests – which is about a 63 percent increase over the gubernatorial election in 2014. Whether those figures represent a shift in Election Day voters who now prefer to vote absentee, or that same increase in participation will be mirrored in the precincts on Election Day remains to be seen.”

 

Macomber pointed out, however, that “either way, our clerks are very well prepared to ensure that our elections are efficient, secure, and transparent.”

 

For example, the City of Wyoming, in anticipation of possible record numbers at the polls Nov. 6, offered some advice to the public for election day.

 

Megan Sall, Assistant City Manager for the City of Wyoming, told WKTV that voters can — should — check Michigan Voter Information Center (Michigan.gov/vote) prior to election day to verify registration, polling place, and see a sample ballot.

 

“Do your research ahead of time as the ballot is quite long with a wide variety of offices and issues,” Sall said in an email. “Exercise patience and expect to wait in line due to the length of the ballot and the high turnout we’re expecting. … (And) we love voter selfies, but you cannot take them with your ballot. Please wait until you leave your polling location.”

 

City of Kentwood, by the numbers

 

In the City of Kentwood, city clerk Dan Kasunic said there are 35,868 registered voters in the city this election cycle. That compares to 34,990 in the last mid-term in 2014, and  35,824 (according to the county) in the 2016 presidential election cycle.

 

Kasunic said, in the last mid-term election, there were 13,366 votes cast out of the 34,990 registered voters, about 38 percent. But this year he “expects 50 percent or better turnout.”

 

Another indication of Kentwood voter turnout is that there were 2,981 absentee ballots received in 2016 and that there are already 3,120 received as of early this week — and, Kasunic added, there are “more to come for 2018 … (and he expects) over 4,000.”

 

City of Wyoming, by the numbers

 

In the City of Wyoming, city clerk Kelli VandenBerg reported that there were 53,961 registered voters as of Oct. 30, with an average of 1,000 new registrations coming each month in September and October (the Aug. 2 total was 51,654 and the Sept. 25 total was 52,800).

 

Historically, in Wyoming, there were 46,758 registered voters in 2010, a total of 48,300 in 2012, with 48,791 in 2014, and 50,277 in 2016.

 

Wyoming also reported numbers on absentee ballots sent and returned, with there being an unusually high number sent this non-presidential election cycle: 4,257. There were 5,643 absentee ballots sent and 5,458 returned in 2016’s presidential cycle, but only 2,896 sent and 2,734 received in the last mid-term cycle in 2014. As of early this week, according to the city clerk’s office, there were 3,028 absentee ballots returned (out of the 4,257) with a week remaining for counting.

 

Kent County, by the numbers

 

Countywide the breakdown, according to the County Clerk’s office, is that there were 418,386 registered voters in 2010 (the last open gubernatorial election, without an incumbent running) with a turnout of 195,999 or 46.9 percent. In the 2014 gubernatorial election year there were 440,461 registered voters and a turnout of 189,517 or 43 percent.

 

In the 2016 Presidential election year, there were 453,437 registered voters with a turnout of 313,396 or 69 percent.

 

“Kent County’s number of registered voters has climbed steadily from 418,386 in 2010, when Michigan had its last (open) gubernatorial election, to 458,666 this year,” Macomber said in summary.

 

State of Michigan, by the numbers

 

According to Woodhams at the Secretary of State office, there are 7,471,882 registered voters this year, which is a record for a mid-term election, and that represents about 95 percent of the possible registered voters. As far as how many of those will show at the polls, state numbers are that there were abut 3.2 million voters in 2014, about 3.85 million in 2006 (the current record for a non-presidential election), about 4.9 million in the 2016 presidential election and about 5 million in the 2008 presidential election (the current record).

 

For really detailed historical state election turnout information visit here.

 

After retirement of Kent County elections director, county clerk names replacement 

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Kent County Clerk Lisa Posthumus Lyons talked about the new election equipment when she visited WKTV Journal: In Focus set in early fall. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

Kent County has a new elections director, and he comes to the post from a company which this year was hired to provide election services to the county.

 

Gerrid Uzarski, who served as a regional representative for ElectionSource, a company based in Grand Rapids, will take over for the recently retired Susan deSteiguer. DeSteiguer served the county for 16 years and — coincidentally — came to the position after working for an elections equipment vendor.

 

“Through three county clerks and 16 years, Sue deSteiguer has led the county, and local clerks, through many elections and numerous transitions,” Lisa Posthumus Lyons, Kent County Clerk and Register of Deeds, said in supplied material. “She leaves very big shoes to fill.”

 

Posthumus announced Wednesday, Nov. 28 that Uzarski will “fill” those shoes.

 

Technically, ElectionSource is not a contractor for the county, but is a co-contractor for the company which is providing the county with new election hardware and software — equipment and systems which made its county debut on Nov. 7.

 

“ElectionSource is Dominion Voting Systems contracted local service provider for their equipment,” Robert J. Macomber, chief deputy county clerk, said to WKTV. “That is a contract executed between those two companies, and not with, or by, the county.”

 

Selection came after standard hiring process

 

Macomber said Uzarski was hired through the standard countywide hiring process.

 

“In September the position was posted via accessKent and publicized throughout Michigan and national, resulting in 40 applicants,” he said. “There was/is no concern with Gerrid joining the county’s team having worked for a vendor. In fact, there is precedent for the hire as prior to becoming Kent’s elections director, Sue deSteiguer worked for an elections equipment vendor.”

 

And Lyons had even more praise for the hiring.

 

“After an extensive search and interviews with several very well-qualified individuals, Gerrid’s expert knowledge of our new voting equipment, reputation for top-notch customer service to county and local clerks, and professional approach was of great value to me in making this decision.” Lyons said in supplied material. “My focus is on ensuring and improving upon elections that are secure, efficient, and transparent, and Gerrid brings the right combination of knowledge, experience, and can-do attitude to accomplish this job.”

 

Gerrid Uzarski, new Kent County elections director

A native of Kent County, Uzarski graduated from Lowell High School and Western Michigan University, according to supplied material. In his role at ElectionSource, Uzarski was charged with implementing stringent accuracy and reliability testing of the company’s serviced voting systems; developing and implementing election day training programs for poll workers; and maintaining communication between vendors and local election administrators.

 

“I couldn’t be more excited to continue my work in elections with Kent County, and I look forward to serving the voters by maintaining elections to a standard of integrity set by the professionals before me,” Uzarski said in supplied material. “I will work to further the goals of clerk Lyons by ensuring timeliness, transparency, and accuracy in our elections.”

 

Macomber said he and Lyons are already seeing positive reaction from local election officials to the hiring of Uzarski.

 

“Since yesterday’s announcement several local clerks have reached out to clerk Lyons to express support for the decision, excited that Gerrid’s expert knowledge of our new equipment will continue to be of great benefit for the local clerks and the county,” he said.

 

10-years county contract with state grant paying initially

 

Uzarski will also be a key player in the continuing relationship between the county and  Dominion Voting Systems/ElectionSource.

 

According to Macomber, in this initial phase of implementation, most of the county’s interactions are with the Dominion team directly, whereas the interaction with ElectionSource will be on election days and over the life of the equipment, when scheduled maintenance and updates need to occur.

 

The county’s financial contract with Dominion Voting Systems/ElectionSource runs ten years, Macomber explained to WKTV, with years 1–5 (the purchase and initial implementation of the equipment) paid for by state grant through a contact between the State of Michigan and Dominion. The county is then responsible for maintenance of the equipment in years 6–10, in the amount of about $30,000 per year to Dominion.

 

In order to implement the new equipment, there was also an upfront cost to the county of approximately $130,000, Macomber said. Of that, roughly $110,000 will be paid to Dominion for the computer hardware housed at the county that programs the ballots and receives the results from the precincts on election night.  About $20,000 will be paid to ElectionSource for development of the online results reporting feature.