Arizona has been recognized for its election management, with Secretary of State Adrian Fontes and his team receiving their fourth Clearie Award for the "2024 Arizona Election Administration Student Fellowship Program." The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) presents these Clearie Awards for Excellence in Election Administration, and this recognition highlights the efforts of those who contributed to the smooth functioning of the election during the 2024 presidential election, according to the press release.
"Winning a Clearie Award is always incredibly rewarding," Adrian Fontes said in the press release. He also recognized his staff for their focus on "innovation, security, and recruitment," which, according to him, "directly contribute to greater ballot access." The 2024 program was designed to quickly prepare college students for election work as a career, providing support and a new perspective in county election offices across eight Arizona counties.
Election offices from across the country submitted their best work, with the Pima County Elections Department and Coconino County standing out from Arizona for their wins in Best Practices for Poll Worker Recruitment, Training, and Contingency Planning, respectively. Maricopa County Elections and the Pima County Elections Department also received recognition, each earning honorable mentions for their Adjudication Training Manual and Elections Asset Inventory Management Program. Additionally, the Office of the Arizona Secretary of State was acknowledged for its outreach through the 'Native Voting Hour' initiative.
The EAC Commissioners, in a joint statement, praised the winners for their role in the 2024 high voter turnout. "These programs show how state and local election offices are the incubators of innovation," they said, according to the press release. Now in their ninth year, the Clearie Awards recognize innovative efforts and provide a framework that other offices can adopt and adapt. This is part of the EAC's broader mission under the Help America Vote Act, which focuses on being a central resource for ideas and solutions in election administration.
For those interested in learning more about these award-winning initiatives, the full breakdown is available on the EAC website. It provides details on practices that are contributing to inclusive and secure elections across the U.S.
