Utah election offices earn awards for their educational voting initiatives 

Two Utah programs are among 53 leaders in best practices for running elections, according to nationwide awards recognizing the top election practices during the 2024 presidential election year from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

The Utah Lt. Governor’s Office earned the commission’s 2024 Clearinghouse Award for distinguished voter education initiatives and the Salt Lake County Clerk Election Division won for best practices for improving accessibility for voters with disabilities. 

Salt Lake County’s “Try Before You Vote: Accessible Vote Outreach” program earned it a spot on the list. With the initiative, the county’s election division offered live demonstrations of voting equipment and other resources at events for individuals with disabilities, allowing them to test out the tools, ask questions and register to vote.

“This outreach was all about meeting voters where they are,” Salt Lake County Clerk Lannie Chapman said in a news release. “We know that confidence and familiarity are key to participation, especially for voters with disabilities. Our team is proud to be recognized for helping make the voting process more accessible, approachable, and inclusive for everyone in our community.”

The election division wrote in its award entry that the program substantially increased confidence and participation in the election process. It also had benefits for election officials by “reducing the need for last-minute accommodations and increasing overall efficiency.”  

The lieutenant governor’s office earned its award for its “12 Days of Election Improvements,” or “Votemas,” a social media campaign nodding to “12 Days of Christmas” traditions, highlighting new voting technologies, procedures and laws in Utah elections. 

“While election-related posts tend to flood social media in the weeks leading up to Election Day, after the dust settles, it’s easy for people to forget that election work continues year-round. Voter records need constant upkeep, and preparation for future elections never stops,” the office wrote in its award entry. “Our goal with Votemas is to remind voters that the work doesn’t end with Election Day — every year is an election year.”