Snohomish County Elections has recently been honored with the prestigious 2025 Professional Practices Independence Award. According to a press release, they were recognized for their Elections Explained initiative, which resonated with voter education efforts at the National Association of Election Officials conference last year. The initiative emphasized improving accessibility in the electoral process, aligning with the November 2024 General Election.
The initiative received praise for its collaborative approach, involving partnerships with the Snohomish County League of Women Voters, Sno-Isle Libraries, and other local organizations. These partners were instrumental in hosting in-person Q&A sessions, allowing voters to ask questions and gain a better understanding of the electoral process. A comprehensive strategy, including an extensive marketing campaign, helped ensure the content reached voters through various platforms. "Our goal was to meet voters where they were, offering opportunities for open dialogue and direct engagement," Garth Fell, the Snohomish County Auditor, told Snohomish County.
The focus on voter accessibility garnered recognition. In June, the organization was honored with the Washington Secretary of State's Accessibility All-Star of the Year Award. Additionally, the Independence Award, selected by a committee of professional election administrators, serves as a prestigious national acknowledgment of Snohomish County Elections' excellence in election administration.
The impact of Elections Explained in Snohomish County was significant, with the campaign generating over 11 million impressions and evidence showing residents were reached an average of seven to ten times with critical messages. "Libraries are where people come to learn and ask questions, where they walk in curious and leave empowered," Susan Hempstead, Sno-Isle Libraries Assistant Director of Strategic Relations said, in words captured by Snohomish County's press release. Meanwhile, Lisa Utter, President of the Snohomish County League of Women Voters, praised the importance of transparent communication in community outreach initiatives.
The success of Snohomish County Elections is built on the leadership of Garth Fell. With a 26-year career overseeing more than 100 elections, Fell was re-elected in 2023 as the nonpartisan Auditor for Washington’s third-largest county. His extensive experience and active role in statewide election administration contribute significantly to the organization’s achievements, as indicated in the press release
