KNOW THE CANDIDATE: CLERK OF THE COUNTY COURT Karan Valenti 28 Highview Circle Weirton, WV

AGE   57  

1) WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF THE CLERK OF THE COUNTY CLERK?

The County Clerk Office is made up of three different offices.

The Chief Election Official of the County Maintains all voter records; prepares ballots; and conducts all county voting, tabulating, and reporting of election results.

The record keeper of the Commission keeps property records, birth and death certificates and commission minutes. It also acts as the Secretary of the Civil Service Commission.

The office also is the bookkeeper of the county. We maintain the county payroll for all employees, are responsible for all quarterly taxes, pay all the county bills and retain the county’s financial statement.

2) WHAT EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION DO YOU HAVE THAT YOU BELIEVE QUALIFIES YOU FOR THE POSITION?

I have worked for over 12 years in two of the three offices directly under the County Clerk: The Election Office and the Bookkeeping Office. I also have over 30 years of experience in customer service. I have furthered my education by attending multiple conferences and trainings for both the Bookkeeping and Election offices including the training last summer for this upcoming election.

3) ARE THERE ANY UPDATES/EFFICIENCIES YOU WILL PURSUE IN THE CLERK’S OFFICE OR ELECTION OFFICE IF ELECTED?

  • As County Clerk I would like to implement E-Poll Books which will allow me to bring early voting to both ends of the county.
  • I plan to upgrade and improve the county’s payroll system and install a time tracking system to automate our record keeping.
  • I would also like to establish a Property Fraud Alert System to protect the county’s residents against mortgage and deed fraud.
  • I will continue to improve the office as technology changes.