Former Summit County Council chair Malena Stevens enters race for county clerk

Malena Stevens will run for Summit County Clerk. Photo: TownLift

PARK CITY, Utah — Former Summit County Council Chair Malena Stevens announced that she is running for Summit County clerk, seeking to succeed Eve Furse, who is not running for re-election.

The county clerk is an elected position that oversees elections, maintains official records and plays a central role in county governance at a time when state law increasingly shapes how local elections and public processes are administered.

Stevens previously served on the Summit County Council from 2020 to 2024 and earlier completed two terms on the Snyderville Basin Planning Commission. Most recently, she chaired the Summit County Districting Commission, representing unincorporated residents and helping redraw county council district boundaries into five districts earlier this year.

In announcing her candidacy, Stevens cited her experience working inside local government and her familiarity with election administration, public process and state law.

“The clerk’s office is one of the most important operational roles in county government,” Stevens said. “It requires accuracy, transparency and consistency, especially when public trust is tested.”

The announcement comes as the clerk’s office recently experienced heightened public scrutiny. Furse, a former federal magistrate judge, recently drew criticism for rejecting thousands of signatures tied to the Dakota Pacific referendum, a decision that sparked public debate over election administration.

Furse was appointed to the clerk’s position in 2020 after longtime Clerk Kent Jones retired following nearly 25 years in office. Her term as a federal magistrate judge expired earlier that year, and she was not reappointed to a second term by judges of the U.S. District Court for Utah. She later sought the midterm clerk appointment, received the support of the local Democratic Party and was nominated to fill the vacancy. Furse won a full term in the 2022 election.

Stevens emphasized that election administration should remain focused on process rather than politics. She said her priorities would include administering elections in compliance with state law, safeguarding ballots and public records, communicating clearly with voters and maintaining professionalism and impartiality.

“Election integrity isn’t about politics — it’s about procedure,” Stevens said.

The role of county clerk has grown increasingly complex as Utah lawmakers have passed legislation affecting local election practices, ballot initiatives and voter access. Despite that state oversight, the clerk retains broad authority in administering elections and interpreting procedural requirements.

Stevens said her leadership style is collaborative but grounded in accountability and preparation.

She holds a master’s degree in public administration and has previously worked as a staff member for Park City Municipal. Stevens said her decision not to seek re-election to the County Council last year was unrelated to her current campaign. She stepped away from elected office for personal and professional reasons, she said, but later realized she wanted to return to public service.

Stevens has lived in Summit County for 14 years and resides in the county with her son.

The filing period for local candidates opens at 8 a.m. Jan. 2 and closes at 5 p.m. Jan. 8. Voters will choose a county clerk, auditor, sheriff, attorney and two County Council members in the 2026 election.