June 08, 2021
The Maricopa County Recorder's Office and the Elections Department Receive National Recognition for Innovative Programs
The Maricopa County Recorder’s Office and the Maricopa County Elections Department are being nationally recognized by the National Association of Counties (NACo). The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.
Three of the four NACo Achievement Awards recognize programs that provided critical information for Maricopa County voters in 2020:
- The Maricopa County Elections Department created the “BeBallotReady.Vote” and “TengaBoletaLista.Voto” voter outreach campaign and the corresponding websites in English and Spanish to inform voters about their 2020 voting options and provide voters a one-stop-shop to check their voter registration status, update their information, find voting locations, view their sample ballot, track their early ballot and more. The campaign and corresponding websites received the National Association of Counties award in the Civic & Public Information Category as an example of using creative marketing and communications tools to reach Maricopa County voters and inform them on how they can #BeBallotReady for #Elections2020.
- The Maricopa County Recorder’s Office Geographical Information Systems developed a series of Dot Density Maps based on previous voter activity so that the Elections Department could determine the best locations for 2020 Vote Centers. The project received the award in the Information Technology category as an example of utilizing creative technology to inform data-driven decisions for the election model, keeping County staff and voters safe during the height of COVID-19.
- The Maricopa County Recorder’s Office Deputy Registrar Program provided voters with critical voter registration, election, and voter education information. This program, which has grown to more than 700 volunteers received the award in the Volunteers category showcasing how County residents engage and empower their community.
The fourth award is for Recording Services:
- The Maricopa County Recorder’s Office developed an innovative process that allows all recorded documents to be searchable by name on the Recorder's Office website within 72 hours, drastically reducing the previous turnaround time of several weeks and increasing customer data security by moving the process in-house. The new Name Indexing Process received the award in the Information Technology Category for making recorded document entry more efficient, cost-effective, and customer friendly.
“These awards prove that Maricopa County is on the cutting edge of providing innovative services across the board,” said Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer. “Whether you are getting information about your voter information, recording a document, or helping people register to vote, our team is finding new and innovative ways to empower people who call Maricopa County home. Serving people is the center of our mission, and these awards highlight our success in achieving that mission.”
“These innovative services came at a time where we were faced with a pandemic and a historic election year, and the Elections Department and the Recorder’s Office worked as a team through both,” said Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jack Sellers, District 1. “I am extremely proud of our hard working staff that worked around the clock to develop the tools needed to make it possible for residents to not only vote during a pandemic and a historic election year, but also to do so safely and securely.”
About the National Association of Counties Achievement Awards
The National Association of Counties annual Achievement Award Program recognizes innovative government programs initiated by county government agencies across the United States.
Nationally, awards are given in 18 different categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice and public safety, county administration, information technology, health, civic engagement and many more.
In total, Maricopa County received 56 National Achievement Awards this year from the National Association of Counties. For a complete list of Maricopa County’s 2021 NACo award-winning programs, visit the NACo website and search the database for Arizona.