October 16, 2001

Becky Dryer

    On October 9th a political forum was held to discuss the upcoming elections for the city of Detroit. The two clerk candidates were to have presented themselves to the audience and answer a pre-known set of questions as well as audience initiated questions. Only Joyce Moore the second candidate to survive the September primary and challenge the incumbent Jackie Currie for office showed up.

    She opened by stating that she wanted to run for City Clerk to restore confidence in the office. She stated, "My desire is to assure you that your vote is counted". Joyce Moore was presented with eight questions. The last of which was from the audience.

    The first question was about her experience and qualities for the position of City Clerk. She stated that she was a city charter commissioner, that she has over 20 years of computer experience and that she has many years of experience from grass roots organizing and organizations. She added that the clerk's office seems to be downplayed in comparison to the overall discussion of Detroit political issues.

    She was then asked a question about what are the strength and weaknesses of the current office. It seemed that this question was too ambiguous or confusing as to the content. Moore stated that there are no apparent strengths and there are many weaknesses. She wants to prepare a top down examination of the voting system to make it more efficient. This question was unclear as if it referred to her opponent the current city clerk or the office itself. The candidate seemed to answer as though it referred to her opponent.

    The third question involved what steps she would take to train and recruit poll workers at the polls and those that help with absentee ballots. Moore's response was that perhaps she would seek an increase in younger people to get more involved in the process.

    The fourth question involved more use of the absentee ballot. Candidate Moore expanded most on this issue. She has already asked the Secretary of State to look into the absentee ballot laws. She does not support an expanded use of the absentee ballot beyond what its purpose is at the present. She cites a high potential for abuse and the existing problems involving votes not counted and spoiled ballots, which cannot be corrected. But she did add that if the people want an expanded use of absentee ballot then she would support the measure.

    The fifth question dealt with administrative practices that the candidate would implement. The answers to this question were a repeat of non-related topics stated above.

    She was also asked how she would use the office to alert voters. Moore stated that she would use more newspapers citing that not many people read the Detroit Legal News and even the two dailies, and that there are a number of other papers in the area that could be used. She also stated that she would make more use of the Internet to provide information and alert voters.

    The only questions originating from the audience involved one directed at the current clerk and other refereeing to the ambassador program. Moore was unsure at how the program works. The question directed at the current City Clerk dealt with absentee ballots. It stated that the person received two absentee ballot applications allowing the same person to vote twice. One was addressed to with the voter's first name and one was addressed with the voter's middle name.

    Joyce Moore's closing stated in part that she fought for the 13th check to be given to the cities retirees.