Elections

The Pima County Elections Department has been honored with a national Clearinghouse Award by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) for its Election Training Program.

The program was one of five winners in the category of “Poll Workers: Best Practices in Recruiting, Retaining, and Training Poll Workers – Large Jurisdictions.” The EAC recognized 53 programs for excellence among 258 entries in its annual “Clearie” Awards, which highlight excellence in election administration.

The Elections Department also received 2024 honorable mention for its Asset Inventory Management Program in the category of “Innovation and New Tools in Election Security and Technology.”

To prepare for the 2024 presidential election, Pima County streamlined its poll worker application process and increased training opportunities with hands-on training sessions and online courses through Tenex Software Solutions.

“Our simulations focused on smaller class sizes and hands-on learning application,” said Dr. Shawna Vivant, Pima County Elections Training & Education Coordinator. “This reduced no-shows on Election Day, increased worker confidence, as well as accuracy and overall worker retention.”

Training courses were expanded to include practical scenarios, equipment details, and de-escalation training.

Each of the six three-hour training simulations included a vote center simulation that required a total of 125 workers to act out different roles, including Inspector, Marshal, Judge, Clerk, and additional roles for voters, political party observer, and electioneering. Using actual vote center equipment, trainees rotated between two stations and four roles, supporting a variety of learning experiences ranging from assisting voters with accommodations, spoiling and re-issuing a ballot, and handling ID-related issues.

Thanks to the flexibility of online training, the Pima County Elections Department reported an increase in younger poll workers volunteering from local schools. Online training also allowed the County to support last-minute additions and scheduling for workers.

“Standby workers who are available for any last-minute callouts appreciate online training,” said Elections Deputy Director Jeremy George. “Flexible training is a good option for these workers, so they don’t have to drive long distances to take the only class left.”

Based on the Elections Department feedback survey of more than 660 workers who participated in the new training, 526 said they are “absolutely” confident in Election Day expectations, and 586 gave the new training a 5 out of 5 rating.

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission is an independent, bipartisan federal agency solely focused on election administration. Submissions were judged on innovation, sustainability, outreach, cost-effectiveness, replicability, and the generation of positive results.