Springfield Township Clerk Nancy Strole did not say, ‘I told you so.? However, her reaction to the latest plan for conducting school elections is similar to predictions she made last year before the new state law was passed.
The Springfield Township Board last week backed Strole’s decision to ‘opt out? of a plan proposed by County Clerk Ruth Johnson, requiring each municipal clerk to administer elections for each school district within their boundaries, in the same precincts used for general elections.
At issue is the fallout from a new state law limiting all elections to four specific dates a year and calling for all elections to be administered by county, city, village and township clerks.
Proponents said the law would reduce voter confusion and save tax dollars by requiring fewer elections overall. The details, however, have Strole and others questioning those claims.
‘There’s a lot of redundancy,’said Strole, who predicted some of the problems last year before the Michigan Legislature passed the new law. ‘I don’t believe it’s cost effective. In fact, it’s going to cost a bundle, and I don’t think it’s going to come with commensurate benefit to the voters.?
Desiring to maintain their independence from municipal ballots and some semblance of their former June election date, most school districts have voted to establish their annual election in May (one of the options offered under the new state law).
The law no longer allows school districts to administer their own elections, as Clarkston Community Schools did in 2003 and 2004. Municipal clerks knew the state law would put the responsibility on them, but many assumed the predominant municipality (in Clarkston schools? case, Independence Township) would be allowed to administer an entire district’s election.
If allowed to stand, Johnson’s decision means Strole will have to staff precincts with ballots for Clarkston, Holly and Brandon school districts. Further, since Holly and Clarkston school districts each overlap into a total of five municipalities, the law dictates that they will pay the costs incurred by each local clerks? offices.
Strole said the Holly district, currently attempting to cut $2 million from their budget, could pay up to $20,000 just for the public notices in the five municipalities.
With other school districts facing similar budget challenges, Strole said municipal clerks not protesting Johnson’s plan should not expect to be immediately reimbursed for their expenses.
‘If there are local clerks who think that when the bill comes to the school districts they’re just going to turn around and write a check, I think they’re off in la-la land.?
In addition to financial issues, Strole said there could even be constitutional issues. For example, Springfield Township has a small portion of the Brandon school district within its boundaries, with only 39 registered voters.
Using a hypothetical 4 percent turnout for a school election, Strole said it could be easy to lose voter privacy.
‘If two or three vote alike, you know how the person voted,? she said.
Strole also noted the cost to order a minimum of 100 ballots for such a small voter base.
Strole supported the proposal to have Independence Township serve as the administrator for the entire Clarkston school district. She also believes Brandon voters could still vote in a Groveland Township precinct with little confusion, since they have voted there for past school elections.
Township attorney Greg Need said the Independence proposal and other alternatives are legal.
‘That’s clearly consistent with the law,? he said. ‘There’s no reason that can’t be done.?
Local clerks who ‘opt out? of the county clerk’s plan may still be required to perform certain functions, such as issuing absentee ballots and providing equipment and poll lists. All other duties would be the county clerk’s however.
‘I’m not trying to shirk any of my responsiblity or the municipality’s responsibility,? Strole said, noting her office would still be actively involved in the process under the proposed alternatives. She said Johnson’s plan, however, ‘is going to be a costly course of action.?