AJC/ACC Voter Guide - Local & Legislative Questionnaire

Former Cobb Superior Court Clerk candidate seeking same office

Advocates for having the clerk "transfer all fees from processing passport applications to the county treasury."

- Advocates for having the clerk "transfer all fees from processing passport applications to the county treasury."

Budget

Wants to "[place] talented deputy clerks in key roles and [provide] extensive training to staff at every operational level" to reduce document processing backlog.

Plans to install a new records management system designed to combat cybersecurity threats.

Said, "I will implement an in-house property fraud detection system and require all real estate division employees to undergo extensive property fraud detection training to ensure the integrity of our county’s public records."

Supports spreading awareness of the Board of Equalization's process of mediating property tax disputes so homeowners can "combat unfair property tax assessments."

Believes that access to public real estate records should be restricted and only accessible to users that verify their identity.

- Wants to "[place] talented deputy clerks in key roles and [provide] extensive training to staff at every operational level" to reduce document processing backlog.
- Plans to install a new records management system designed to combat cybersecurity threats.
- Said, "I will implement an in-house property fraud detection system and require all real estate division employees to undergo extensive property fraud detection training to ensure the integrity of our county’s public records."
- Supports spreading awareness of the Board of Equalization's process of mediating property tax disputes so homeowners can "combat unfair property tax assessments."
- Believes that access to public real estate records should be restricted and only accessible to users that verify their identity.

Judicial Administration

As of March 23, 2024, Nicholas J M Simpson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

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Nicholas J M Simpson

Former Cupid assistant to run for Cobb Superior Court Clerk

Said, "I know the importance of a government that works for people and makes the most of our community’s hard-earned taxpayer dollars. Under my leadership, the Clerk’s office will solve problems instead of creating them."

- Said, "I know the importance of a government that works for people and makes the most of our community’s hard-earned taxpayer dollars. Under my leadership, the Clerk’s office will solve problems instead of creating them."

Said, "I envision a Clerk’s office that prioritizes a proactive approach to meeting the diverse needs of Cobb County residents... My Clerk’s office will be present in the community, educating and reestablishing trust and reliability in the court system... I will prioritize efficiency and staff retention in the Clerk’s office."

Said, "​The Clerk’s office should be accessible and efficient. My commitment is to establish accessible and clear channels of information, and empower the community to understand and engage with our judicial system."

Said, "As Clerk, I will restore and strengthen public trust in the integrity of our judicial system with my steadfast dedication to ethical conduct, accountability, and justice."

- Said, "I envision a Clerk’s office that prioritizes a proactive approach to meeting the diverse needs of Cobb County residents... My Clerk’s office will be present in the community, educating and reestablishing trust and reliability in the court system... I will prioritize efficiency and staff retention in the Clerk’s office."
- Said, "​The Clerk’s office should be accessible and efficient. My commitment is to establish accessible and clear channels of information, and empower the community to understand and engage with our judicial system."
- Said, "As Clerk, I will restore and strengthen public trust in the integrity of our judicial system with my steadfast dedication to ethical conduct, accountability, and justice."

As of March 23, 2024, Brunessa Elizabeth Drayton’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Brunessa Elizabeth Drayton

Ballotpedia - Carole H Melton

As of March 23, 2024, Carole H Melton’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Candidate website

The candidate's website says, "Carole’s calling to the mission of Clerk of Court is rooted in customer service... she is committed to restoring integrity, efficiency and service in the Clerk’s office through leadership and teamwork for all customers involved. Those customers are the judges and courthouse family, the litigants, and the public at large."

The candidate's website says, "She is committed to restoring integrity, efficiency, and service in the Clerk’s office through leadership and teamwork for all customers involved. Those customers are the judges and courthouse family, the litigants, and the public at large."

- The candidate's website says, "She is committed to restoring integrity, efficiency, and service in the Clerk’s office through leadership and teamwork for all customers involved. Those customers are the judges and courthouse family, the litigants, and the public at large."

Carole H Melton

Connie M. Taylor

As of March 23, 2024, Connie Mae Taylor’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Clerk facing backlash for filing backlog in Cobb County 

Received backlash from Cobb County community members including elected officials in 2023, claiming there has been a three-month backlog for online court filings.

Launched a new File Activity Notification System (FANS), which "enables property owners to monitor filing activity to help prevent fraud in real estate transactions."

According to her website, she cross-trained staff on all processes and procedures to improve overall service levels.

- Received backlash from Cobb County community members including elected officials in 2023, claiming there has been a three-month backlog for online court filings.
- Launched a new File Activity Notification System (FANS), which "enables property owners to monitor filing activity to help prevent fraud in real estate transactions."
- According to her website, she cross-trained staff on all processes and procedures to improve overall service levels.

Atlanta News First, Court clerk allegedly told worker to ‘Donald Trump’ passport fee records

Keeps 100% of passport application fees as personal compensation, which is legal to do. Gained over $400,000 over two years and is being investigated for trying to destroy related records.

- Keeps 100% of passport application fees as personal compensation, which is legal to do. Gained over $400,000 over two years and is being investigated for trying to destroy related records.

Connie Mae Taylor

The Superior Court Clerk is the official record keeper and legal administrator of the county, as they are responsible for receiving and maintaining criminal and civil court filings. They also manage the county’s land and property records. Their duties are numerous and include administrative tasks, like accounting and administering oaths, and judicial, like maintaining legal records. They can also potentially fill in for other roles, such as State Court Clerk and Passport Acceptance Agents.