In an effort to increase voter participation among Salt Lake County’s growing population, Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swensen established special voter outreach programs. Sherrie is committed to increasing voter participation and reaching out to all eligible citizens in Salt Lake County. She does this through a variety of programs she implemented shortly after voters elected her into office in 1990. Her voter outreach programs include:

SENIOR TOUR

The “Senior Tour” encourages voter participation by making the process as easy and accessible as possible for our seniors. Sherrie implemented the “Senior Tour” in 1992 when she began visiting Salt Lake County Senior Centers to help register senior citizens and provide demonstrations on how to use the County’s voting devices. The program also provides permanent absentee applications to those individuals who are recipients of the “Meals on Wheels” program.

YOUR VOICE – YOUR VOTE

This program offers eligible high school students the opportunity to register to vote and encourages their participation in the election process. High School students under the age of eighteen may pre-register to vote by filling out a registration form. Their registration form will be held until their 18th birthday at which time the form is processed and the student is sent a voter identification card.

With the assistance of the student government leaders, Sherrie conducts on-site voter registration drives at each high school in Salt Lake County. This program has significantly increased the number of 18 to 25 year old voters since it was implemented in 1991.

REGISTRATION EVENTS

Sherrie offers voter registration during numerous different events throughout the year. These events include the Salt Lake County Fair and other events held at the South Towne Expo and the Salt Palace. Sherrie supports the voter registration events offered by universities by providing voter registration forms and other election materials to support their registration events. Her efforts to register new voters and raise awareness for voter registration have significantly increased the number of registered voters in Salt Lake County since she took office in 1991.

DRAWN TO VOTE

“Drawn To Vote” encourages high school students to exercise their important and fundamental right to vote. This program includes an art contest held in Salt Lake County high schools where students create posters encouraging citizens to participate in the election process. The top three “Drawn to Vote” winning artists are awarded a donated savings bond and the winning posters are exhibited in education presentations.

VOTER EXPRESS

Sherrie conducts voter registration drives in government and business parking lots where individuals can “drive-through” and register to vote without having to park. As people drive through, they are handed a clipboard with an attached voter registration form. This program offers the ultimate convenience and has been in place since 1991.

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