Sandra K. Dalton

Sandra K. Dalton is the incumbent Republican Clerk of the Circuit Court for Frederick County, seeking re-election in 2026. A Walkersville resident, she has served as Clerk since 1998, making her one of the longest-serving clerks in Maryland. Before becoming clerk, she worked in the Clerk's Office as a jury manager and court reporter, and was also a retired real estate agent. She holds the designation of Certified Court Manager through the Institute of Court Management and completed court management training through Michigan State University and the National Center for State Courts. During her tenure she has overseen significant modernization of the office, including the successful deployment of Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC) in October 2017, enabling e-filing for civil, family, and criminal cases. She also reduced jury service in Frederick County from one month to one week, a reform that took effect in 2000. She has served as President of the Maryland Circuit Court Clerks' Association, President and Vice President of the Conference of Circuit Court Clerks, Chair of the Maryland Jury Commissioners and Jury Clerks for over a decade, and has testified before the Maryland Legislature on various court-related bills. The office has received multiple no-findings legislative audits under her leadership. She is a graduate of the 2002 Leadership Frederick County program and is active in numerous community organizations including the Frederick Women's Civic Club, the Women's Giving Circle, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and United Way. She and her husband Chuck are parents of three children and are also grandparents and great-grandparents.

Sources: Campaign website