‘NOT A SCARLET LETTER’

ClerkMeltzer says she’s infected, assures voters office will reopen

With less than two weeks until the hotly-contested election, Clinton Township has shuttered its elections department due to COVID-19 infections among two and possibly three employees.

Speaking to TheMacomb Daily from her homeWednesday night, Clinton Township Clerk Kim Meltzer confirmed she is one of two who have tested positive for the coronavirus.

“I’mnot shying away from the fact I have COVID. It’s not a scarlet letter,” she said.

Meltzer stated she received a flu shot on Oct. 13. Five days later, on Sunday, Oct. 18, she developed a fever. She assumed the fever was a side- effect of the shot. However, her doctor suggested she be tested for COVID-19. OnMonday, itwas confirmed she had the coronavirus.

“I was in the office with a staffer before (the diagnosis). I told her to get tested and it came back positive,” Meltzer said, adding tests are still pending to determine if a third worker is also COVID-19 positive.

“We are so close to the election, that timing is awful. But I cannot take any chances. It’s the worst time for something like this to happen,” she said.

In both the release and in a phone interview, Meltzer expressed optimism the office will reopen by Monday. Supervisor Robert Cannon, speaking to The Macomb Daily, reiterated that.

“We are trying tomake sure all employees get tested and plan to have that office reopened byMonday if not sooner,” Cannon said.

In the meantime, there is staff on hand to empty outdoor collection boxes and they are getting absentee ballots to voters requesting them.

“We will continue to receive ballots by mail and from the six collection boxes throughout the

township,” Meltzer said.

When asked about the impact on vote testing and worker training, Meltzer acknowledged a prolonged closure could be problematic, adding she has been in contact with the state about the issue.

“The state has been supportive. I think I would have the governor’s support on this,” she said of the decision to close the office.

As for her own condition, Meltzer, who was energetic in a phone interviewstated she is progressing.

“I’m good but I’m staying home and taking medicine,” she said. “It could have been worse if I didn’t take care of it early. I can’t stress that enough. People need to take this virus seriously, get tested and wear their masks.”

She referred residents to the township’s website, clintontownship.com, for updates on when the election department will reopen.

MACOMB DAILY FILE PHOTO Clinton Township Clerk Kim Meltzer stands next to a drop off box available to voters who need to hand-deliver their absentee ballot. While the township elections office has temporarily closed due to coronavirus infections, Meltzer says employees will continue to retrieve ballots from the drop box. This photo was taken before Meltzer’s recent infection.