The two women running for county prothonotary both said they would be the best choice for Butler County taxpayers.

After the votes are tallied Tuesday, one will be left to perform the various jobs carried out by the office.

Kelly Ferarri and Paula Painter vied for the office on the Republican ticket in the May primary election, with Ferrari winning by more than 2,500 votes.

Painter is surprised that she's facing a challenge because she has worked in the office for 18 years and served as deputy prothonotary for 13 years, having been trained by retiring 36-year prothonotary Glenna Walters. She switched parties and was nominated by the county Democratic Committee as the party's candidate in the general election on Tuesday.

The prothonotary's office is the record keeper for a county's civil court, and helps residents with passports, divorce decrees, rights of way for land disputes, fictitious names, naturalization records, court records or records on individuals.

Attorneys also count on the prothonotary to keep them abreast of ever-changing legal procedures and to provide various documents.

Painter said all requests, whether from the public or attorneys, are processed the same day they arrive in the prothonotary's office.

“There is no backlog,” Painter said. “There are many times when Glenna and I are working into the evening.”

She said she has streamlined many procedures in the office. The month-end reports, for example, once took many hours to complete and often required staff to stay after hours.

“I have it down now that it takes me 10 to 15 minutes,” Painter said.

She said her experience as deputy prothonotary would provide a smooth transition for the candidate who is elected to common pleas court on Tuesday.

“I could have a very supportive role instead of the prothonotary's office trying to figure everything out,” Painter said.

She said Walters has placed her confidence in her as well.

“If Glenna didn't think I was ready to take over, she wouldn't be retiring,” Painter said.

She also said the staff at the office needs a prothonotary “who can supervise them and answer their questions.”

Painter said people she talks to on the campaign trail are excited that she is back on the ballot for the general election because of her years of experience in the office.

“They are saying they don't understand why (prothonotary) is an elected position,” Painter said. “They say, 'There's no question that you should be stepping up because Glenna trained you.' ”

She said the prothonotary hires the office staff, so when Walters retires at the end of the year, her time is also up.

“I stress this is not a political office,” Painter said. “I don't ask for your political affiliation, my concern is how I can help the individual.”

Ferrari said the prothonotary's office is antiquated and in need of new, modern records-management software.

“Several of our county government leaders have not worked in the office they are currently serving and are doing a great job with new ideas and bringing a renewed energy to the office, including all three county commissioners,” Ferrari said.

She said the prothonotary plays a significant role in county government and requires management experience, a thorough understanding of civil procedure and how the courts operate.

“I possess a combination of skills and experience that make me stand out from my opponent,” Ferrari said.

Ferrari said since the May primary, her team has been knocking on doors and attending events to get her message out to voters.

“I am eager to bring my experience and skills to the prothonotary's office to assist the residents of Butler County seeking justice,” Ferrari said. “Our county needs leaders who can solve problems, improve services and, most importantly, put people first.”

Ferrari, who owns a court reporting business, said she and her family have a history of investing in the county “to make it the best it can possibly be, including my father George Smith's time serving as city fire chief and then on city council.”

Should she win the election next week, she will give up her business.

“Prothonotary will be my full-time job,” Ferrari said.

She also said prothonotary is not a “steppingstone” position for her, as she said has been suggested.

“I'm going to get out there and work hard on election day and hope for the best,” Ferrari said.