Boulder County Elections Receives Clearinghouse Award

BOULDER COUNTY, CO — Boulder County is among three Colorado counties that received a national award for elections innovation.

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission, a federal body that recognizes election administrators across the country, gave its 2020 Clearinghouse Award to Jefferson, Arapahoe and Boulder counties.

The Boulder County Elections division was recognized for creating a Student Voter Registration Awareness Week and designating a voter registration liaison at each public high school in the county.

"The elections office leveraged connections with liaisons to amplify and implement additional voter outreach and education efforts within the schools and on social media," the U.S. Election Assistance Commission said in a statement posted on its website.

"Alongside the liaison outreach, officials worked countywide to educate the community about preparing newly enfranchised youth to vote and serve at the polls. The program helped hundreds register to vote and resulted in one of the highest turnout rates for young voters in the state."

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The U.S. Election Assistance Commission, which was established by Congress in 2002, is an independent, bipartisan group that serves as a national clearinghouse of best practices for local election officials.

Award categories include innovation in election administration; improving accessibility for voters with disabilities; best practices in recruiting, training, and retaining poll workers; and creative and original “I Voted” sticker design.

Ten national awards were given out in the 2020 Outstanding Innovations in Election category.