State Representative Barb Byrum (D-Onondaga) is announcing her candidacy for Ingham County Clerk.Byrum says she wants to make the county clerk’s office more customer friendly, transparent and accountable. She says her experience as the ranking Democrat on the House Redistricting and Elections committee qualifies her to enact reform. Byrum strongly opposes Republican sponsored legislation that would require all Michigan voters to show identification. She calls that an unconstitutional poll tax.
"If someone shows up to a poll to vote and they don’t have their ID, all of those workers need to know that that person has a right to fill out an affidavit and then vote," Byrum says.
Byrum adds she’ll also ensure the clerk’s offices in Lansing and Mason each offer the same services. Byrum will appear on the ballot in the August 7 Democratic primary. Lansing city clerk Chris Swope says he will also run for the seat.