Voters have a difficult choice to make when choosing the next Chautauqua County clerk to replace the retiring Larry Barmore.

The clerk’s position is responsible for maintaining records of governing body transactions such as resolutions and ordinances; maintains and provides records including birth marriage, civil union and death certificates; and is responsible for recording all land documents. Additionally, the office serves as a clerk for the state Supreme Court and Chautauqua County courts, oversees the Department of Weights and Measures and county historian and heads three Department of Motor Vehicles bureaus in the county.

Greg Krauza, the endorsed Democratic Party candidate, and Greg Carlson, the endorsed Republican Party candidate, are both well qualified candidates who have carried themselves well as they’ve criss-crossed the county making their case to voters. And, frankly, both acquitted themselves well during a recent debate hosted by the League of Women Voters in Jamestown. Voters honestly will not go wrong in this race — and that’s a luxury given the paucity of candidates in some races and the lack of quality in others.

In this race, we give the nod to Carlson based on policy and convenience. We’ve heard for years the pleas from the county clerk’s office for drivers to conduct their transactions locally since that revenue remains local rather than being sent to the state. Unfortunately, many people simply don’t have the time to run to local DMV offices — particularly given the inconvenience of the Jamestown office’s parking situation.

But, perhaps most important, Carlson may be in the best position of the two candidates to get county lawmakers to upgrade the county’s records system. The Republican candidate broached the upgrade during the League of Women Voters debate — and while such a systems upgrade will be both costly and time consuming, it would make records access easier for both the clerk’s office and, hopefully, for county residents.

Krauza has a strong background in government and seems up to the challenge of clerk. But Carlson, in the only debate between the candidates, appears to have a better grasp on the records situation and likely has a better chance of getting support for what is expected to be a costly project.