KENT COUNTY, Mich. — In Nelson Township, a community in northern Kent County, Laura Hoffman has been a known figure for quite some time.
This election season wraps up her 29 years as township clerk.
"I loved elections when I was a kid and I love elections to this day," said Hoffman.
She began working elections in Nelson Township after she became an election inspector in 1988.
She was then appointed as the township clerk in 1995 under the condition of running for the position in the next election, which she ultimately won.
Seven-terms later, the 2024 election is the last one Hoffman will oversee as she will soon begin her retirement.
"In 1988 we had the lever machine to vote, and master cards in a big black book with a precinct book that you looked up every voter that came in," recalled Hoffman. "We would have to go through the file manually to find that person, record their information. Now, it's electronic. We know that you're registered in our township."
Hoffman looked back on the introduction of computers for her office in the 1990s, which was followed by the Qualified Voter File, which digitized all voter information.
Now in 2024, she saw the first election season with early in-person voting across the state.
"We had 1,004 voters come through this last nine days of early voting, which helps at the polls, it also helps at the AV counting board," said Hoffman.
But as the well-quoted saying goes, the more things that change, the more that stays the same.
"There are still voters that I know from 1995," said Hoffman. "It's that connection you make with people. We've had many people come in, lots of hugs, lots of 'Thank you,' you know? So, it's very touching."
For Hoffman, the position became much more than the business that took place behind her desk and at the polls.
"When you come to a government agency, most people start sweating, and you know they want someone that will listen to them, that can help them, not send them to another department or another county building," said Hoffman. "They're there because they need help."
Expressing gratitude for the residents of Nelson Township who have trusted her for seven terms, she feels proud of the work her office has done.
"We've done the best that we could do through the years. We've done it right," said Hoffman, who also has a clear plan on her plans once she passes the baton.
"My next step is just sitting home enjoying my coffee."