Ottawa County Clerk expands public outreach to build voter trust ahead of election

October 14, 2024 | Shandra Martinez | The Lakeshore

A decade ago, when Justin Roebuck was first elected as Ottawa County Clerk, the public’s understanding of the election process was an afterthought.

There were no public forums, no town halls, and certainly no need to address the kinds of questions that have become commonplace in the current political climate. Roebuck’s role has evolved dramatically.

“We weren’t doing any live, in-person events when I started in this role,” Roebuck says. “But with so much public scrutiny and misinformation circulating, it’s become critical for us to be out in the community, talking face-to-face with voters and explaining how the process really works.”
-Justin Roebuck

Roebuck and the nonpartisan nonprofit Keep Our Republic will host the last of two “Elections Community Conversation” events before the Nov. 5 general election.

It will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, at Spring Lake District Library, 123 E. Exchange St., Spring Lake, in the Baird Program Room. Voters will have an opportunity to ask questions, learn about recent election law updates, and gain insight into the measures being taken to ensure a secure election process. …