ACHIEVEMENTS AS CITY CLERK

ELECTION EXPERIENCE AS CHIEF ELECTION OFFICER

WORKING WITH THE YOUTH

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Detroit Federation of Teachers
Association of Wayne County Clerks
Michigan Municipal Clerks Association
International Association of Clerks, Recorders, Election Officials and Treasurers
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority

ACHIEVEMENTS AS CITY CLERK

As a committed public servant, Clerk Winfrey views public office as the most effective way to affect public policy and ensure efficiency and accountability in local government.  In her current elected position she has three charter-mandated roles:  City Clerk, Chief Elections Officer and Official Record Keeper.

The Office of the City Clerk is one of the first avenues for citizens seeking information pertaining to city services, ordinances, records, and City of Detroit information in general.  As the official record keeper for the City of Detroit, it is the responsibility of the City Clerk to ensure citizens and other interested parties have access to current and archived records of the city. 

During her first term, Clerk Winfrey has completely overhauled the City Clerk’s Office by creating a citizens’ library, establishing a copy center, purchasing 30 new computers, digitizing the City Council schedule and updating the City of Detroit Official Directory and the Municipal Manual.  Clerk Winfrey also has made the legislative process more accessible to citizens by providing the City Charter, Municipal Manual, City of Detroit Directory, Ordinances, and Council Daily Calendars available for free on the city’s website. 

Clerk Winfrey, a native Detroiter, graduated from Cass Technical High School, where she has been recognized as a distinguished alum, and Eastern Michigan University. 

ELECTION EXPERIENCE AS CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICER

In her role as Chief Elections Officer for Detroit, Clerk Winfrey methodically implemented two new voting systems in Detroit and set precedence in the election community by being one of the first among the eleven major cities in the United States to release 100% results by 11:00pm each election night during the 2006 election year. The 2008 Presidential General Election proved to be the most challenging election to date.  Nevertheless, Clerk Winfrey managed to ensure ample voting opportunities for Detroiters by allowing voters to complete an absentee ballot at the Detroit City Clerk’s Office in addition to the Department of Elections.  This first-time opportunity resulted in a record number of absentee voters.  Furthermore, Clerk Winfrey has updated and continues to efficiently maintain the Detroit voter registration files.

Key Achievements

• Successfully implemented two voting systems (M-100 Ballot Tabulator and Automark) in 6 months
• Cleaned up and maintains an accurate voter file to ensure integrity and efficiency.
• Implemented a uniform clothing policy in all Detroit voting precincts
• Partnered with Wayne County Community College to professionally train Election Day staff
• Organized candidate forums in an effort to educate and inform voters
• Implemented and maintaining a permanent absentee voter mailing list
• Providing postage for the return of absentee ballots
• Annual Pollworker Appreciation Day
• Implemented the Electronic Precinct List for use at the precincts on Election Day
• Launched Pollworker online training program
• Implemented an Election Day Call Center to dispatch stand-by Pollworkers.
• Added additional voting booths to high volume voting precincts to eliminate long lines

WORKING WITH THE YOUTH

Janice Winfrey enlists the Youth to participate in the NO PHONE ZONE Initiative to promote safety on the roads by declaring not to Text or Talk while driving. Partnered with multi-platinum Recording Artist Usher to Educate the Youth on the importance of Voting. Janice Winfrey continues to reach out in the community by attending Voter Outreach events.