7-17-2020 2:14pm

3 Democrats, One Republican on Primary Ballot for Washtenaw County Clerk Position

Washtenaw County voters will elect the County Clerk and Register of Deeds in November. But first, there is a primary race. There's only one Republican candidate, Ann Arbor resident Gary Greiner. In November, he'll face the winner of the Democratic Party primary, which includes incumbent Larry Kestenbaum, Doristeen Taylor and Pecola Lewis.

Kestenbaum was the only candidate to answer questions posed by The Saline Post.

Here are his answers.

BIO:
Lawrence (Larry) Kestenbaum, age 64, 30-year resident of Washtenaw County, currently living in Sunward Cohousing in Scio Township.
Campaign web site: larrykestenbaum.com

Career/Business:

County clerk since 2005. Licensed attorney (not in practice due to my position). Previously employed with Eastern Michigan University; University of Michigan Institute for Social Research; MSU Political Science Department; MSU School of Criminal Justice; Michigan Citizens Lobby.

Government experience:

* Washtenaw County Clerk/Register of Deeds, 2005-date.
* Washtenaw County Commissioner, 4th District, 2000-02.
* Ingham County Commissioner, 8th District, 1983-88.

Volunteer/community organizations:

* I was one of the pioneers of the World Wide Web. In 1996, I created the Political Graveyard web site (PoliticalGraveyard.com), which made a tremendous amount of U.S. political history freely available online.
* Member, Pittsfield Union Grange
* Former board member and president, Sunward Cohousing

Why are you running for the County Clerk?

I ran for county clerk in 2004 because the position is a close match with my interests and skills. I have accomplished many things in the years since then, and I'd like to continue.

Why should voters elect you?

Under my leadership, the county clerk's office has been reliable, efficient, innovative, and highly regarded.

Every person who comes to our office is treated with courtesy and respect. That has been my ongoing commitment since the first day. I think this community knows how well we have lived up to that pledge.

My office has become smaller and more efficient during the 15+ years I have been county clerk and register of deeds, with about half the number of employees I started with. The county's population and economy have grown tremendously, as has the volume of services required, and we have responded effectively to those needs with a leaner operation.

Michigan county government is a patchwork, not structured for efficiency. Authority is splintered every which way, with many autonomous units. Nonetheless, Washtenaw County is well-managed (with a top-notch AAA bond rating), because I and the other officials make it a point of principle to avoid turf wars, and work together in the interest of the county as a whole.

Elections in Michigan are highly decentralized. City and township clerks, county clerks, and the state Bureau of Elections all have major roles to play. I am very proud of our strong partnership with all of the local units in Washtenaw County.

My team has greatly expanded access to county clerk information online. And we're not done yet (see below).

If given another term, I will also continue advocating to protect voting rights and human rights. Here are some examples of what I've done:

* In March 2014, when Michigan's marriage inequality amendment was struck down for what turned out to be a 24-hour period, I opened the office on a Saturday to process marriage licenses for same-sex couples. Three other county clerks followed my lead.

* In November 2016, my testimony in Lansing, before the State Board of Canvassers, helped ensure that presidential ballots would be recounted by hand.

* In 2012, the legislature added unconstitutional roadblocks to prevent voters from recalling elected officials. I'm in the forefront of those opposing that power grab.

* Right now, a partisan lawsuit charges that the county has "too many" voters. This will not be the last attempt at voter suppression. A county clerk with deep election experience is the best defense.

What’s the biggest issue facing the clerk's office and how should the clerk's office face it?

Election law is constantly changing, generally in good ways, but sometimes in challenging ways. The county clerk is responsible for implementing these changes, but also needs to advocate for better election laws and practices.

Proposal 3 of 2018 mandated automatic voter registration for any eligible Michigan resident who does not opt out. Implementing this will be a very large and complicated process.

During the pandemic, and in the years to come, agencies and businesses are improvising ways to serve customers in a safe and efficient way. In every practice, the county clerk is constrained by state law, so state-level advocacy will be needed to enable more online services.

What innovations would you like to see in the way the Clerk's office shares information with county residents?

My office has innovated online access in many areas, and we will continue to do so.

For example, our website for election returns is far better and more complete than what most counties have. We created a website for voters to easily sign up for permanent absentee voting lists, and another one to recruit poll workers.

Washtenaw County was the first county in Michigan to have electronic death registration. Now, every county does it. We were also one of the early adopters of electronic deed recording.

Coming up is a new system for campaign finance reporting, which will make reporting easier for candidates, and make those reports more accessible to the public.