The Tazewell County Clerk & Recorder of Deeds Office announced they were recognized for excellence in election administration with a national Clearinghouse Award for “Security: Innovations and New Tools in Election Security and Technology”. The office was also recognized with an Honorable Mention under the category “I Voted Stickers: Creative and Original” for their 2024 Pekin Bicentennial “I Voted” Sticker and new Tazewell County Bicentennial “I Voted” Sticker series.

Also known as the “Clearies,” the United States Election Assistance Commission (EAC) presents the awards program annually to celebrate the hard work of election offices across the country. Now in its ninth year, this year’s Clearie Awards honored programs that took place during the 2024 presidential election year. Tazewell County is the first county within the State of Illinois to be recognized with this United States Congressional Award.

The Tazewell County Clerk & Recorder of Deed’s “Election Judge Badge Redesign” was one of 53 programs that were recognized with a Clearie Award. As the 2024 Presidential Election approached, the Tazewell County Election Authority worked with Illinois State Legislators on HB4488 in July of 2024 to remove the requirement that Election Judge Name Badges display the name of the Election Judge. This move was made to add privacy security for the volunteers that serve as Election Judges. Replacing the Election Judges name was a requirement for an individual Election Judge Identification Number. Additionally, the Tazewell County Clerk added language highlighting the fact that Election Judges are Officiers of the Circuit Court, and with the assistance of Tazewell County Presiding Judge Chris Doscotch, they held a Press Conference to bring attention to the Election Judges role as Officers of the Circuit Court. Finally, the new Election Judge Badges list emergency contact numbers, providing the Election Judges with quick, easy access in case of an emergency. The new redesigned Election Judge Badges were implemented for the 2024 Presidential Election.

The 2024 Pekin Bicentennial “I Voted” Sticker received an Honorable Mention from the Election Assistance Commission. The first of a new series of Tazewell County Bicentennial “I Voted” Stickers, the sticker celebrated the City of Pekin’s Bicentennial and the community’s celebration of the Marigold flower.

“Our office is extremely proud to be recognized by the United States Election Assistance Commission, and as such Congress, for our administration of Tazewell County Elections” stated Tazewell County Clerk & Recorder of Deeds John C. Ackerman. “We deeply value the approximately 500 Election Judges that serve the citizens of the county each and every election. These volunteers serve a vital role in making sure our elections are safe, secure, and accurate.”