The role of a county clerk in New York is steeped in tradition and function and is one of the few government jobs, like that of a district attorney, that is created and protected by the state’s constitution. The clerk is the official records keeper and the repository of Nassau’s court cases, land transactions including mortgage filings, veterans’ discharge papers and more. It’s an elected office but it should not be a partisan one.

Republican Maureen C. McConnell, 74, was first elected clerk 20 years ago. We have long supported her candidacy but after two decades of promises to advocate against exorbitant fees and to fully modernize services to make accessing documents easier, it’s clear the job needs new leadership. McConnell did not meet with the editorial board.

Five years ago, the co

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