Technological upgrades are on the horizon for the Monroe County Clerk’s Office after voters selected the Republican candidate to head the countywide post.

Technological upgrades are on the horizon for the Monroe County Clerk’s Office after voters selected the Republican candidate to head the countywide post.

Electronic services were at the core of Annamarie Osment’s campaign for Monroe County Clerk/Register of Deeds, which appeared to have appealed to voters who selected her in a 49,563-30,763 vote to lead the office, according to Tuesday’s Election Day results.

She defeated Democratic challenger Sandra L. Blank who was selected in Michigan’s August primary to represent the party over fellow Democrat Jerry Oley.

“I would like to express how honored I am to have participated in the democratic process as a candidate,” Osment told The Monroe News Wednesday. “The outpouring of support and encouragement from the community has been tremendous, and I would like to thank all the voters that put their trust in me to lead the Offices of Monroe County Clerk and Register of Deeds.”

A lifelong Monroe resident, Osment, 54, is operations coordinator for Monroe County. She formerly worked for the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office for more than 20 years.

She is a member of the St. Michael Parish, Monroe County Republican Women, the National Rifle Association and the Monroe County Republican Party.

Of her 49,563 votes, 29,104 were cast in person, while 20,459 were by absentee ballot. There was a 67% voter turnout for the clerk’s race, reports showed.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Osment’s campaign highlighted the need for technological improvements to help the county remain safe, efficiently facilitate services and access and file records. She also has advocated for strengthened relationships with local clerks.

“My goals to upgrade technology in the County Clerk’s Office and Register of Deeds are of the utmost importance as we navigate in these restricted times, making the need for electronic services more important than ever,” Osment explained Wednesday.

“Through collaborative efforts with the clerks throughout the county, we will focus on maintaining the integrity of free and fair elections as well as getting information to the community on a timely basis. My commitment to this community is to serve the public’s needs and interests.”

Blank, 69, of Monroe, the Democratic challenger, is a retired administrative assistant for the Michigan Department of Corrections and also worked in probation/parole for Monroe County 38th Circuit Court.

Of her 30,763 votes, 10,783 were cast in person, while 19,980 were by absentee ballot.

Blank did not submit a statement to The Monroe News by press time.