Local governments may soon have to train election inspectors instead of having a state employee do the job, according to the Secretary of State.

This is part of the reorganization of the election commission of the state of Michigan, said Moran Township Clerk Kris Vallier. Township clerks like herself could opt out of the responsibility, in which case it would pass to the county clerk, she said.

“This could be a good thing,” she added. “Some are in favor of this because each clerk would be aware of how well trained election inspectors would be in the area.”

Mrs. Vallier said she is in favor of this aspect of the new bill, but she is unsure whether she would support all aspects of election reform.

Township clerks have been notified, she said, that they must now pay much closer attention to social security numbers, also.

According to the state, social security numbers must not be accessible to the public.

“Business owners are responsible for maintaining confidential records,” she said. “In my township, I am the only one who has access to them, due to my role in creating payroll checks. I assume it is the same in other townships.

“We were always careful with people’s privacy, but now townships must pass a formal resolution concerning the protection of social security numbers.”