Ilsa Minor | Daily Press Elizabeth Moberg, left, and County Clerk Nancy Przewrocki

ESCANABA — A fresh face and an experienced official faced off on issues related to the Delta County Clerk’s Office and the register of deeds Wednesday, during a candidate forum hosted by the League of Women Voters and the American Association of University Women. The event brought together 23-year-old hopeful Elizabeth Moberg and current County Clerk Nancy Przewrocki, who has served as the clerk for almost 24 years.

Both women, who are running as Republicans, were asked what drove them to seek the positions of county clerk and register of deeds, which in Delta County are a single post. For Przewrocki, it was a desire to continue in her existing role.

“I have been working in this position for 24 years and I love serving the public. I’ve brought a lot of changes to the office, upgrades and computerization, scanning so documents are available online and I have a great staff and I’d like to continue working in that capacity, serving the public,” she said.

Moberg, who recently graduated from Northern Michigan University after studying organizational communication, said she saw the job as a “step forward.”

“I am seeking this position as a step forward into my future career and endeavors and the things I’d like to pursue as I would like to be an impactful member of our county. My drive to do this stands with the things I’ve learned and the things that I’ve learned not just in a professional aspect but what represents me and my feelings towards helping others and being representative as a whole community,” said Moberg.

When asked about qualifications and experience, Moberg said she has spent the last five years primarily doing office work and, while a college student, worked to form a group to unify her department. She pointed to that work as the impetus behind her ultimately seeking the clerk’s position.

“That was my first step forward into realizing what I would like to move forward in my years to come, knowing that my feet are just coming out the door and I have those wishes to offer,” said Moberg.

Przewrocki highlighted a number of aspects of her position, including the appointment of officers, formulating budgets, teaching election workers and municipal clerks, and working with the Michigan Vital Records Department. She also noted challenges, such as new election rules, changes in the circuit court system, digitizing documents, and adapting to new boards of commissioners.

“I’ve been through many, many board and many issues that the boards have had — some good, some not as good,” she said.

When it came to issues for the clerk and register of deeds that would be priorities for the candidates, Moberg said she was unaware of internal issues but pointed to elections as an area of concern.

“As for internal issues, I don’t believe that is something I would know off-hand as it has to be an on-hand experience to know directly. Although, I believe there are certain concerns as to voter integrity and managing that, having transparency within the office to other voters to know that what they, the information that they are retaining is accurate and being able to trust that entire process,” she said.

Przewrocki said the biggest priorities for both offices was implementing e-filing systems. For the register of deeds, this means allowing attorneys and title companies to file documents digitally rather than mailing or delivering physical copies of documents. For the clerks office, the focus is on the launch of a system that is new to Delta County but is used by the rest of the state.

Przewrocki did not see election integrity as an issue.

“As far as election integrity, we’ve had many audits, we’ve had people looking at our information with a fine-toothed comb and we’ve passed with flying colors every time,” she said.

The candidates were also as asked if they felt the county was prepared to meet the state’s new early voting requirements. Moberg said the election workers may be, but residents aren’t.

“I believe the county workers may be ready but not completely, in total, the voters, as some of the issues lie within voter knowledge and education, as, at the time when I was first able to vote, that was the immediate thought in my mind is ‘I can vote.’ As an adolescent, that was likely ignorance on my part because I didn’t know what I was doing and it took me time to learn those processes,” she said.

Przewrocki agreed it was hard to educate the public, but she said she was confident in the county’s ability to accommodate early voting, which starts today and continues through Aug. 4. During the early voting period, all Delta County registered voters can vote from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Wells Township Hall.

“I do feel we are prepared. We handled it very well in February, and in fact, I started the training today for the election workers,” she said.

Another question posed by residents was whether the posting of property transactions in the Daily Press should continue. The transactions, which are a relatively new addition to the paper, indicate when properties are sold or are placed into trusts.

Moberg was against the practice.

“I believe that can be frictional. I don’t — personally, I don’t see a benefit in it. So do not believe it should continue. I believe those should be things that are managed within a register of deeds office and be maintained there and that information can be requested upon need,” she said.

Przewrocki said she had heard no complaints about the publishing of property transactions and noted the information is public record.

“That is all public information. The Daily Press had contacted our office to ask — or told me that they were going to be doing this. I haven’t heard any complaints either way. So I haven’t had any feedback from the public whatsoever, so I don’t know if people feel it shouldn’t or should be done. So until I receive some complaints, I guess it’s going to continue,” said Przewrocki.

In closing, the candidates gave their final appeals to voters.

“p4″>”I would ask that members of the public, if they are happy with the service that they’ve had for the last 24 years, I would ask that they would vote for me again,” said Przewrocki.  I want to continue serving the public and continue working with the city and township clerks. We have a great relationship. We work great together. And I want to continue all the services that I’ve brought to the clerks office for veterans, for going out to the schools and educating the students on voting processes, and continuing those kind of relationships.”

Moberg said she wanted to bring clear communication to the clerk’s and register of deeds’ offices.

“If elected as county clerk and register of deeds, I would like to put the effort forward to create organization and clear effective communication to help those, and I do believe I have the experience and the ability to fit a leadership role as well as work with leadership above me effectively,” she said.

The primary is set for Aug. 6.