Jane Krebs has seen a lot when it comes to elections.

The Carbon County voter registration specialist has worked under five election directors, seen a shift from the large paper voting machines to the voting process Carbon County has today, moved the department four times as operations expanded and has navigated a presidential election during a global pandemic.

“In the 21 years I’ve been here, a lot has changed in the election department,” Krebs said. “When I started, we had the big green machines that were the lever machines. ... Next was the electronic machines and now I think our system is much easier with the paper.”

She began her career with Carbon County in July 2004 after being asked if she wanted to interview for a position with the county. She thought the opportunity could be good for her so she applied for a job not knowing that it was in the election department.

She was selected and the rest is history.

Since then, she has served as both the face and voice of the election office, sitting at the front window that welcomed everyone coming in who had business regarding elections.

Now, after two decades, Krebs is wrapping up her career today and retiring, with plans to watch her 1-year-old granddaughter and spend time with her husband.

When asked how her career has helped shape who she is today, Krebs said that it has allowed her to learn about a process most people don’t follow.

“We have about 45,000 people registered and most want to vote in a presidential election,” Krebs said. “A lot of the people think there’s only an election every four years when the president runs. They don’t worry about the little elections for your mayor or school board or council. The presidentials are important but the smaller ones are important too because they are the people running your town.”

She spoke about former election director Kenny Leffler, who used scrabble tiles for the casting of lots every election.

“We still use his tiles today,” she said.

Krebs also spoke about the moves from a small room next to the entrance in the courthouse to where they are today at 44 Susquehanna St., Jim Thorpe.

The office has also been located in 76 Susquehanna St., as well as 410 Center Ave., the former Jim Thorpe Administration building.

Krebs also credits the county election directors, which besides Leffler, included Tim Benyo, Jacqueline Berger, Lisa Dart and current director Jennifer Ketchledge, for helping to make her career memorable.

“I always had nice election directors and that’s important,” she said, adding that she developed a special friendship with Ketchledge over the last few years.

“It’s going to be sad leaving but we’ll still see each other,” Krebs added.

Ketchledge said that Carbon County is losing a wealth of information with Krebs’ retirement, but she said that thankfully she is still only a phone call away.

“Jane was a great support system when I first started and she definitely has a lot of knowledge,” Ketchledge said. “I couldn’t have become the director that I am without her.”

As Krebs closes this chapter of her life, she thanked everyone for all of their support and reminds voters that elections are a very important privilege that they have.