Lannie Chapman, Salt Lake County Chief Deputy Clerk, has filed to run for County Clerk. Lannie has served as Chief Deputy Clerk since 2019, previously serving as a Deputy District Attorney in the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office.
Lannie spent her childhood in Flint, Michigan and received a juris doctorate from Western Michigan University’s Cooley Law School. Lannie came to Salt Lake to complete an internship with the United States Department of Trustee’s Office. Like so many, she fell in love with Utah and all it has to offer and decided to stay. Lannie and her husband, Chris, are raising their two daughters in Salt Lake County.
Lannie said, “As a lawyer by trade, I understand the importance of the law to ensure safe, secure and successful elections. Election administration has never been so tested in the history of our nation. I am energized and committed to continuing the excellent legacy of well-run elections in Salt Lake County. I hope to have the confidence of Salt Lake County voters next November.”
Lannie’s filing represents an end of an era as Clerk Sherrie Swensen will not be running for re-election. Sherrie is the longest serving female elected official in Utah state history, and has administered free and fair professionally run elections since 1991. Lannie Chapman has worked directly with Sherrie to oversee seven elections, including the 2020 presidential election.
Sherrie Swensen said, “I have complete confidence in Lannie and know that with her victory in November, the Clerk’s office will be in good hands for years to come. With recent false and defaming charges made towards clerks’ offices across the nation, it is important that the Salt Lake County Clerk’s office remain in ethical and strong hands. Lannie knows the complex operational duties of the Clerk’s office and operates with integrity. Lannie has also earned the trust of the staff in the Clerk’s Office.”
Since Lannie joined the Clerk’s office, there has been a renewed investment in modernization and technology. Security has been upgraded and the office has coordinated with federal law enforcement agencies to implement process improvements as well as employ new voting methods for municipal elections including rank choice voting for select cities.
Mayor Jenny Wilson has endorsed Lannie and said, “I’ve had a chance to work directly with Lannie and while I am sorry to see Sherrie not run for re-election, Lannie is well prepared to continue the critical duties of the Clerk’s office.”
In addition to administering elections, the Salt Lake County Clerk’s office manages the issuance of marriage licenses, accepts passport applications, and supports the Salt Lake County Council by producing its meeting minutes.
Lannie said, “Our office received the Innovation and Accountability Initiative Award from the National Elections Assistance Commission for best practices in election administration and outstanding innovations in elections. Our county and state lead the nation in providing access to the ballot by offering robust by-mail and in-person voting opportunities. I am excited to continue Sherrie’s legacy on these fronts.”
Lannie’s campaign webpage is: LannieforClerk.com.
