Canton Township Deputy Clerk honored by state association
The Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks (MAMC) has named Canton Township Deputy Clerk Katie Baker as the organization’s 2026 Deputy Clerk of the Year.
Katherine “Katie” Baker entered public service in 2020, just weeks before one of the most demanding election cycles in modern history. What began as a challenging introduction quickly became the foundation of her passion for the clerk’s profession, noted a prepared release announcing the award.
“She immersed herself in every aspect of the office — elections administration, records management, statutory compliance, and resident services — earning the confidence of her colleagues and leadership through professionalism, adaptability, and an exceptional work ethic. Her rapid mastery of operations led to her promotion to Deputy Clerk and Electi
ons Manager in 2022,” officials said.
Baker has worked tirelessly to transform service delivery in Canton Township noted township officials. She led the migration of all clerk’s office applications, permits, and licenses to digital platforms – reducing paper usage, improving efficiency, and expanding accessibility for residents. She further developed Quick Reference Guides that have become essential tools for staff and election workers, ensuring consistency and “futureproofing” the clerk’s office for anyone to step into any role or responsibility with confidence, they added.
Canton Township Clerk Michael Siegrist described Baker as a “trusted leader, a mentor, and a steady presence in moments of pressure and uncertainty,” noting that “she has earned the respect of community leaders, fellow clerks, our staff, and most importantly the residents we serve. Our office is stronger, more professional, and more compassionate because of her leadership.”
In addition to her technical and operational achievements, Baker mentors high school students and participates in the MastHERmind program, where she introduces young women to careers in public service and municipal leadership.
Baker is an active member of the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks, the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC), and the Association of Wayne County Clerks. She serves on the Wayne County Clerk Working Group and has participated in statewide initiatives, including the Proposal 2 Implementation Committee with Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. Her contributions have helped shape best practices adopted by the Bureau of Elections.
Baker earned her Bachelor of Science in English from Central Michigan University and holds both the Michigan Professional Municipal Clerk (MiPMC) and Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) designations. She is actively pursuing her Certified Elections/Registration Administrator (CERA) certification.
“Knowledge alone is valuable. However, knowledge shared in a way that others can understand and use – that is what truly elevates performance,” Baker said.
“Baker’s contributions to the profession are exemplary and her efforts have not gone unnoticed, and the MAMC wants to thank her for her years of service to her community and to the association,” a spokesperson noted.
The MAMC is a professional organization that exists to promote, enhance, and encourage the professional development and standing of municipal clerks through cooperation, communication,
education and training by utilizing seminars, institutes and meetings; to promote and encourage improvement of methods and procedures of duties performed by clerks; and to address legislative matters relating to the municipal clerk’s responsibilities.
Of the eight states that administer elections on the local level, Michigan is one of the largest with approximately 280 city clerks and 1,240 township clerks. Michigan’s elections system is administered by more than 1,603 county and local election officials, making it one of the most decentralized in the nation. Additionally, there are more than 250 village clerks in Michigan, who are also represented by the MAMC.
