SmithforClerk

Background:

I am a person who values hard work, something I learned from my father, who was a master electrician at Chevrolet Gear and Axle and my mother, who was a Highland Park District Court worker. As a young widow and single mother of two, I supported my family by working in management for two national corporations. I also worked in city government as community services officer for Kalamazoo. I have used my experience to protect voter participation and defend fair and equal participation in elections through bi-partisan efforts with such organizations as America Coming Together and The Michigan Voter Education Project. To date, I have overseen the registration of 120,000 new voters in the metro Detroit area. Most recently, I worked as the state political director for an international non-profit organization. Serving the voters is my passion and I will do everything in my power to ensure and protect the rights of Oakland County residents.

Goals:

The residents of Oakland County deserve a County Clerk who is focused solely on their needs. I want to ensure fair elections, accessible voting, available and secure records and an organized and convenient judicial process. I am running because I feel this office needs someone who will make customer service and the safety of residents’ information a priority. As my past shows, I am dedicated to voters, not the politicians. My opponent ran for lieutenant governor and is heading John McCain’s Oakland County campaign – all while serving as County Clerk and overseeing the voting process. We need someone in this office who is fair, impartial, innovative and fights to make sure that all our votes count. I believe I am that person.

Issues:

First, as I mentioned above, I believe we need to take the politics out of the Oakland County Clerk’s Office and put the focus back on the citizens this office was designed to serve. Second, the Oakland County Clerk’s Office needs to be more accessible to Oakland County residents. Currently, there are no evening hours for people who work or do not have computer access. I would enact evening hours and create a mobile clerk’s office that would go into the community once a month to reach residents in need of our services who cannot come to us. Third, we need to serve our voters better and more fairly by enacting Election Day voter registration and creating uniform absentee ballot regulations through Michigan. I would petition the state for these changes.

Grassroots Support:

I am meeting with all 13 Democratic clubs in Oakland County. Before their membership, I first stress the importance of “top to bottom” ballot voting and tell them that I need their help. I reach out to precinct delegates and we are arranging to get literature and yard signs in their hands. My team is also out working to I.D. voters and creates walking lists for volunteer teams and me to use to reach out to persuadable voters.

DFA Values:

Contrary to what the Republican spin doctors would like to have the American voter believe, the Democratic Party has been the party of fiscal responsibility for many, many years now. All we have seen over the last seven years under a Republican administration is irresponsible spending and the bankrupting of future generations. I believe strongly in fiscal responsibility. As public officials, we are trusted with taxpayers’ money – with the money of our neighbors, our teachers, our policemen and doctors. It is an enormous responsibility and one we must always, always remember. Being socially progressive does not in any way lead to fiscal disregard. Good strong social programs help the economy. Training workers, ensuring health care for working families, building stronger and better schools – these are all investments in the future of our societal and economic well-being.