The following email thread reveals the current clerk’s threat, and my response:

Dear Catherine McMullen,

Thank you for your email response. Allow me to address concerns mentioned in your email. But first, I will post all email correspondence with the county so you have an accurate history of what transpired.

I have always been curious how the election counting process works, and wanted to find out. Having been informed that Clackamas County Election’s Office was seeking applicants, I filled out the primary election Temporary Election Worker form. I submitted it, in person, to a female clerk at Clackamas County, in the beginning weeks of March, 2024. I received the following response:

Let’s break the email down from top to bottom. First, you addressed the email to myself and Lori. As you can see from prior correspondence, her name was never mentioned and she never was listed as a sender. If you need to communicate with her, you have her email address. I have been the only person corresponding with Clackamas County.

Then you stated,

“It has come to my attention that on multiple occasions you have approached Clerk’s Office staff regarding your repeated applications to work as temporary county election workers.”

From the above stated history: “multiple occasions” is really twice; “approached Clerk’s Office Staff” implies a physical presence which never occurred; “repeated applications” which implies repeated applications for the same position, when in fact, it was one application each for two different events, AND by the advice of your clerk. I don’t need the job; I applied to satisfy my curiosity.

Then you claim,

“You were notified these positions have already been filled but continue to appropriate staff time to attempt to argue about your application status.”

Nowhere in the stock/canned answer did it state the “positions have already been filled”, but rather you “have selected other candidates for this position”. Note the use of singular versus plural in the preceding sentence, indicating many other candidates will be considered for this one position; and hence my confusion.

It is my right, as a tax paying person, to “continue to appropriate staff time” by asking questions. It is your fiduciary duty as an elected official to answer these questions and be accountable to “We the People”.

Look up the definition of “argue”, it means to:

give reasons or cite evidence in support of an idea, action, or theory, typically with the aim of persuading others to share one's view.

By me asking questions, which is not arguing, I am not trying to change your view, but rather trying to understand from where you base yours. My “application status” is clear cut to me—denied. No controversy there, just trying to understand the process. 

Lastly, you state,

“Your behavior is disruptive to county operations.  You are asked to cease and desist the above behavior, or you may be excluded from county buildings.”  

Again, because I want to understand your position and will ask questions, how am I “disruptive to county operations”. 

“You are asked to cease and desist the above behavior”.

Cease and desist for asking questions of an elected public official who is supposed to answer questions to “We the People”? 

“you may be excluded from county buildings”.

I will not be intimidated or bullied by a public official. I am a fourth generation Oregonian, whose grandfather was Sheriff of Clackamas County, and have law enforcement relatives. I am friends with Clackamas County Deputies and Police. I am also friends with other elected Clackamas County Officials who hold more prestigious positions than county clerk.

Just so you know, I will post all past, present, and future correspondence of this matter on social media. The Clackamas County Clerk’s Office needs to maintain total transparency and election integrity to regain the lost trust of the people. My advice to you, before you send another email, is to seek advice from Clackamas County Legal Counsel before you make any libelous accusations and hide behind the seal of Clackamas County.

Have a blessed day,
Mark Reaksecker, DMD

This ends the email thread, but it also opens the door to ask more questions. When a Telegram blogger read the above thread, he stated, “that elevated quickly”.

Is this how an elected official should answer taxpayer’s questions?
Why would an elected official not answer questions about the election process and threaten to bar people from Clackamas County buildings?
With the current clerk, why is there absence of transparency, which is why we have extreme lack of faith in the election process?
Why did she try to intimidate and bully her way out of this instead of just answering the questions originally asked?
Why is she hiding behind the seal of Clackamas County and not demonstrating honesty, integrity, or transparency?

Looks like the clerk wants to keep you out of the election office too!!!