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."
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Courtesy Ottawa County Clerk/Register of Deeds' OfficeOttawa County Clerk/Register of Deeds Justin Roebuck and the nonpartisan nonprofit Keep Our Republic have hosted a series of “Elections Community Conversation” events.
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.
Registration is encouraged but not required.
Changing role
The shift from behind-the-scenes work to active public engagement has become a critical part of Roebuck’s job. When he first began his career 16 years ago as Ottawa County’s elections director, the focus was on operations such as making sure ballots were printed, opening the polls on time, and tabulating results correctly. But in the aftermath of the 2016 and 2020 election cycles, public trust in the process became a priority that could no longer be ignored.
"We’ve seen an increase in attention and scrutiny, especially since 2020," Roebuck says. "But one positive outcome has been the growing interest in how elections work. We want people to know that our system is built on checks and balances, and they can trust it."
Roebuck's first Elections Community Conversation town hall, held last week at Loutit District Library in Grand Haven, drew around 25 attendees.
“We had some really good questions, especially from folks who may not fully trust the process and wanted more clarity," he says. "Hopefully, we were able to provide solid answers. It was really engaging. We had questions for almost an hour."
Roebuck’s approach to voter education reflects a broader challenge election officials across the country are facing.
The rise of election-related disinformation has created confusion and mistrust that could discourage voters from casting their ballots, says Ari Mittleman, executive director of Keep Our Republic.
“In Michigan, we have seen a continuous stream of misinformation and disinformation about the election administration process for several years, and it spreads like wildfire,” Mittleman says.
“Our goal with these Election Community Conversation events is to clarify and debunk the election myths that may hinder voter confidence ahead of the presidential election on Nov. 5. We hope Ottawa County voters take the opportunity to attend one of these sessions to learn the intricacies that go into making elections safe and secure, and come out reassured about voting.”
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Courtesy Ottawa County Clerk/Register of Deeds' OfficeElection information materials are available at the Ottawa County Clerk's Office Events.
Building transparency
Roebuck, named
2021 Michigan Clerk of the Year by the Michigan Association of County Clerks, says he’s happy to answer any and all questions.
“People deserve to have their questions answered, and they deserve to trust the process," he says. "We want to make sure they know we’re working hard to ensure this election is secure, fair, bipartisan, and transparent.”
A lifelong conservative and a Republican, Roebuck acknowledges that his political affiliation doesn't automatically grant him credibility in conversations about election security, especially in the current polarized climate.
"Anyone who goes against the narrative immediately loses credibility with certain individuals," he says, adding that his focus remains on being transparent and building trust through facts, emphasizing that his role as an election official transcends partisan lines. "Our elections process belongs to all of us, not just one party."
At the upcoming event on Wednesday at Spring Lake District Library, Roebuck will be joined by Ottawa County Elections Supervisor Katie Bard. They will discuss the recent changes in Michigan election law, voter registration procedures, and the steps to secure in-person and absentee voting.
The event will feature an interactive mock election for children, where participants will be able to vote for their favorite Oreo cookie after sampling different varieties.
“The Oreo election has been a hit, especially with kids, and it’s a great way to introduce them to the voting process," Roebuck says. "It’s fun and educational, and it gets them thinking about the importance of participating in elections from a young age.”
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Courtesy Ottawa County Clerk/Register of Deeds' OfficeOttawa County Clerk/Register of Deeds Justin Roebuck and the nonpartisan nonprofit Keep Our Republic have hosted a series of “Elections Community Conversation” events.
While the Oreo election may draw laughs, the core of Roebuck’s message remains serious. He’s more convinced than ever of the importance of transparency in building and maintaining voter confidence.
"This is our process, not just mine as the election administrator," he said. "We’re choosing our leaders at the ballot box — not through violence, and not through dictatorship. We need to trust this system. And that means we, as election officials, need to be out there, being honest, transparent, and full of integrity."