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Deborah Dance

Candidate Statement for Clerk of Superior Court

Hello, my name is Deborah Dance, and I’m running for Clerk of Superior Court because I believe in providing efficient, effective, and accessible court services for everyone in our community. With over 25 years of experience serving Cobb County, I’ve dedicated my career to ensuring that legal and administrative processes run smoothly and that the public has access to the resources and information they need.

Having lived and worked in this community for nearly 30 years, I understand the unique needs and concerns of our residents. The Clerk of Superior Court’s Office plays a vital role in our daily lives, and it must operate with integrity, fairness, accuracy, and openness. I bring a strong background in customer service, legal procedures, and public administration, along with years of experience in human resources. The people who work in the Clerk’s Office are its greatest asset, and they deserve an environment of respect, professionalism, and support. If elected, I will prioritize creating a positive, empowering atmosphere where employees feel valued and equipped to serve the public with excellence.

A top priority of mine is improving the efficiency of the Clerk’s Office so that court services are user-friendly, responsive, and timely. Whether it’s filing documents, accessing court records, or ensuring clear communication with the court system, the Clerk’s Office should make things easier for everyone. Delays in the legal process can have serious consequences, from impacting real estate transactions to slowing down vital criminal and civil cases. As Clerk, I will work to ensure that records are filed and available without unnecessary delay, so that no one has to endure avoidable hardships due to bureaucratic inefficiency.

It is important to acknowledge that the current Clerk has been under investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation since 2022 regarding the collection of passport fees, with allegations that she directed an accountant to destroy public records related to these fees. While the public continues to await the results of this investigation, my pledge is simple: I will not take passport fees as personal compensation. Instead, I will report all fees in accordance with the law and designate any fees strictly for improving operations and customer service. Additionally, within the first 120 days of taking office, I will establish a leadership committee that includes stakeholders and community members, and I will provide a public report on audits and initiatives. Transparency will be a cornerstone of my administration.

My qualifications include six years as County Attorney, 24 years as an attorney with Cobb County Government, and three years as a Cobb County Planning Commissioner. These roles have given me deep insight into the operations of local government and the importance of an efficient, well-run court system.

The Clerk’s Office affects many aspects of our lives—criminal justice, civil litigation, family law, real estate, and even personal safety. Inefficiency or negligence can lead to significant problems, from delays in criminal cases affecting the right to a speedy trial, to gaps in protective orders that leave victims vulnerable. As Clerk, I will work hard to eliminate these risks and ensure that records are processed swiftly, accurately, and securely.

I am committed to eliminating the backlog between filing and recording, so that court records are available in real-time to judges, lawyers, law enforcement, and citizens alike. By implementing clear standards and a strategic plan, I will ensure that documents are recorded within hours, not weeks or months.

This is a time for new leadership, and I am ready to bring that leadership to the Clerk’s Office. I would be honored to have your support as we work together to make this office one that truly serves the people of Cobb County,