Latest news with #ClearinghouseAwards
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Monroe Treasurer's Office wins national election award
MONROE — The city of Monroe Treasurer's Office was among the winners of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission's Clearinghouse Awards, according to a release from Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson's office. The national awards are presented annually nationwide for the best practices in election administration. "The 2024 elections were historic both for record-breaking voter turnout and as the very first statewide elections with in-person early voting," Benson said in the release. The Monroe Treasurer's Office received an award in the category of "Communications: Distinguished Voter Education and Communications Initiatives" for its "Ready, Set, Vote" media strategy it used during the 2024 election season to strengthen communication between the Monroe Clerk's office and voters. More: United Way honors several of Monroe County's 2024 'Everyday Heroes' "It's a great opportunity to share with other election officials across the country what has worked for us here in our community," said Monroe Clerk-Treasurer Michelle LaVoy. The goals with "Ready, Set, Vote" were consistent and clear messaging, building trust by providing information straight from the clerk's office, meeting voters where they were through digital and traditional media, and creating a recognizable brand. "With constant change in election laws, I felt it was important to try to get information out to voters from a trusted source," LaVoy said. "We tried to cut through all the noise and communicate with them the how, what, where, when of voting. We hope it made the difference in their ability to participate in the election process." The strategy received a lot of feedback from voters, including first-timers, who said it helped them understand where to vote and when. LaVoy worked with members of the Communications Department, communications director Jody Egen, and communications specialist Amy Mohr, to design the strategy. They also worked closely with Monroe Public Access Cable Television. More: Accessing local journalism is even easier with the Monroe News app In the next election cycle, the plan is to take a look at what worked originally and add on to it, as well as refresh any info they provide to match any changed election laws. "I truly believe that elections are the very cornerstone of our democracy," LaVoy said. "Elections need to happen and each is important from the federal to the local level." — Contact reporter Connor Veenstra at CVeenstra@ This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe Treasurer's Office earns award for "Ready, Set, Vote" strategy
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ottawa County Elections Division wins national award for voter education series
OTTAWA COUNTY— The Elections Division of The Ottawa County Clerk's Office has received national recognition for its innovative approach to helping voters understand the election process. The office was announced as a winner of a national Clearinghouse Award for Distinguished Voter Education and Communications Initiatives by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission on Wednesday, April 16. The award recognizes innovation, sustainability and replicability in election administration during the 2024 presidential election. Ottawa County was one of 53 programs across the country recognized. Ottawa County earned the award for its 'Not a Podcast – Ballots and Banter" series, created in collaboration with the Ottawa County Communications Department. More: Ottawa County voters should have an easier time finding results in May. Here's why The series of short videos with Ottawa County Clerk Justin Roebuck and Elections Supervisor Katie Bard addressed topics such as voter registration, election security, how to obtain absentee ballots and more. The goal was to deliver clear and accessible voter information by using a casual podcast format. 'As election officials, it's critical that we communicate information to voters in the many ways they receive their information,' Roebuck wrote in a release. 'I'm so proud of our innovative Elections Team and thankful for the partnership we have with our County Communications Department. This national award is a well-deserved recognition of their collaboration to educate voters.' The series was initially posted on Facebook and Instagram, but can also be viewed on YouTube. The EAC is an independent, bipartisan federal agency solely focused on election administration. The organization's Clearinghouse Awards, also known as Clearies, are presented annually and are now in their ninth year. Submissions were judged on innovation, sustainability, outreach, cost-effectiveness, replicability and the generation of positive results, according to a release. — Cassidey Kavathas is the politics and court reporter at The Holland Sentinel. Contact her at ckavathas@ Follow her on Twitter @cassideykava . This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Ottawa County Elections wins national award for voter education series
