This afternoon, Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson and the County Council issued a joint proclamation honoring retiring County Clerk Sherrie Swensen for her 32 years of service as the county’s first female clerk.
“Sherrie stepped up to serve back in 1990 when there weren’t many women in public office and has been not just a trailblazer for other women in public office, but has modernized, improved, and protected the safety of our elections in Salt Lake County. I thank her for her service and congratulate her on her well-deserved retirement,” said Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson.
The full proclamation recognizes such achievements as:
- Sherrie successfully administered 67 elections and ensured every single vote has been counted fairly and accurately
- Sherrie has always been a champion of voting accessibility, has consistently promoted vote by mail opportunities and legislation, and was a pioneer in offering a permanent absentee program (vote by mail) to Salt Lake County residents and municipalities
- Sherrie prioritized outreach to voters and accessible voter registration to ensure all voters can access the ballot
- Voter participation skyrocketed under Sherrie’s tenure, which she credits in large part to the ease and accessibility of vote by mail
- Sherrie opened her office and extended hours in December 2013 to process a record number of marriage licenses once same-sex marriage was determined legal by the courts. Countless families were protected due to Sherrie’s swift action
- Sherrie has excelled in discharging her other statutory functions, which include issuing marriage licenses, processing passport applications, and keeping public records of the County Council and other county boards and meetings
In her final act as Salt Lake County Clerk, Sherrie will swear in Clerk-elect Lannie Chapman on January 3.