What is the role of the Municipal Clerk in elections?

The role of the Municipal Clerk in elections is crucial, primarily focusing on managing election processes and ensuring smooth interactions with county officials. This function includes a wide range of responsibilities, such as overseeing the preparation and administration of elections, handling the logistics of polling places, ensuring compliance with election laws, and facilitating the filing of candidacy petitions. Interaction with county officials is essential as it ensures that all legal requirements are met and that the election results are accurately reported and certified.

The other choices do not align with the responsibilities of a Municipal Clerk. For instance, appointing candidates for election is not a function of the Clerk, as that is typically managed by political parties or other governing bodies. Overseeing the education system falls completely outside the purview of the Clerk's duties, which are focused on municipal governance and operations, particularly in the electoral domain. Conducting criminal investigations related to elections is usually the responsibility of law enforcement agencies, not the Municipal Clerk. Therefore, the correct answer reflects the specific and defined role that Municipal Clerks play in the electoral process within their municipalities.