why i am running
 for 
Clark County Clerk

My experience navigating the court system without an attorney inspired me to pursue a legal education. Today, that experience motivates me to seek meaningful improvements for the people of Clark County.

Years ago, I found myself in a position that far too many families experience. I could not afford an attorney to modify my child support order. When I turned to the courthouse for help, I discovered how difficult it was to navigate the legal system without guidance on which documents to file or the procedures to follow. Determined to understand the process and protect my rights, I represented myself. That experience ultimately inspired me to attend law school.

Today, I am running for Clark County Clerk because I believe access to justice should not depend on someone's ability to afford an attorney. Every individual has the right to represent themselves in court, yet exercising that right can be overwhelming without meaningful procedural assistance. I want to establish a comprehensive self-help center where residents can receive clear guidance on court procedures, filing requirements, and available legal resources without crossing the line into legal advice.

I also believe Clark County should strengthen access to dispute resolution services. Mediation can help families resolve disagreements without the emotional and financial burden of prolonged litigation. By expanding procedural assistance and access to mediation, we can reduce unnecessary court filings, potentially save taxpayers money, and help ease crowded judicial calendars.

When judges have fewer preventable procedural matters and unresolved disputes on their calendars, they can devote more time to cases requiring judicial decisions. This is especially important for vulnerable children in foster care, whose futures may depend on timely court hearings and decisions.

I am not running simply to maintain the status quo. I am running to bring compassion, efficiency, accountability, and meaningful improvements to the Clerk's Office. I know firsthand what it feels like to stand in a courthouse needing help and not knowing where to turn. My goal is to make that experience easier for the next person, while protecting the integrity of our courts and respecting the taxpayers who fund them.

Rachel Shapiro
Candidate for Clark County Clerk

Friends of Rachel Shapiro, P.O. Box 5912, Vancouver, WA  98668