Antrim County voters will decide next week who they want to be their next county clerk, with the current clerk putting forward a write-in nomination.

Antrim County Clerk Sheryl Guy said after allegations of unproven voter fraud in the last presidential election, a lot of chaos was created for her office. She said she was ready to retire and spend more time with her family.

That was the case, until she discovered that the Republican candidate, Victoria Bishop, was likely to win because she was running unopposed. Guy said she wants to protect the position she has held for more than a decade from someone she believes is an election denier.

“My conscience wouldn’t allow me to walk at that point. So the fight is on,” Guy said.

Guy said she has worked in the county for 45 years, the last 12 as county clerk.

She said she was deeply concerned about what would happen if Bishop won the election.

“There was talk that she would go after Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, wreak havoc on her and try to erase the voter file,” Guy said.

She said she thinks Bishop is sowing doubt about the legitimacy of the election.

Just like what happened four years ago.

Antrim County was thrust into the national spotlight, after a tabulation error caused temporarily inaccurate results in the 2020 presidential election, favoring Biden.

Guy said even though an investigation found no voter fraud, Bishop is using that.

“It was established that there was no fraud. She claims to bring integrity back to our elections. We have worked hard and our integrity has always been at the highest level for our Antrim County residents and our bottom line,” Guy said.

She said in making the decision to run as an independent candidate, she had to make up for lost time, getting the message out online and in person.

“Well, I think it’s going to be tight. I think it’s a lot easier to just vote for a party or, you know, press the bubbles that are there and with the writing, they actually have to write my name and fill in the bubble,” said Guy.

She said election deniers like Bishop are concerning for Antrim County and for democracy itself.

“They are not intended for the people. They have ulterior motives. And it’s very scary,” Guy said.

9 and 10 News has reached out to Victoria Bishop multiple times for comment to take her side as well. She declined our interview request saying “No comment.”