Butler County wins state election award for poll worker changes

BUTLER COUNTY, Ohio - Election officials in Butler County and Montgomery County have won awards from Ohio Secretary of State’s Office for devising ways to make elections more efficient.

Secretary of State Jon Husted announced Friday the Bright I.D.E.A. (Innovative Developments in Election Administration) Award recipients Friday at the Ohio Association of Election Officials Conference.

A “Process Management Award” went to Butler County for its “Precinct Election Official Recruitment” submission.

The county used to more effectively retain and recruit poll workers through an aggressive outreach effort that included phone calls, public forums, emails, mail pieces and a media campaign.

Also, a “Voter Services Award” went to Montgomery County for its “Any Line, Any Time” initiative, which simplifies the voter check-in process, reduces the waiting time to cast a ballot and improves the overall voting experience for the voter.

Local boards of elections were asked to submit their innovations to the Secretary of State prior to the conference to be considered for the award.

Award criteria include any new practice that caused a measured improvement in the administration of elections at the county level.

The innovation should be one that can be replicated by multiple boards of election statewide.