Snohomish County Elections receives national Independence Award for outstanding service and accessibility

Snohomish County Elections received the 2025 Professional Practices Independence Award for its Elections Explained initiative, which focused on enhancing voter accessibility and education. The initiative collaborated with local organizations, such as the Snohomish County League of Women Voters and Sno-Isle Libraries, to host in-person Q&A events that facilitated direct engagement with voters. These events allowed community members to ask questions and receive reliable election information. The marketing campaign supporting the initiative achieved over 11 million impressions through more than 200 digital, print, and radio placements, effectively connecting voters to trustworthy information. Snohomish County Auditor Garth Fell emphasized the importance of open dialogue in fostering voter engagement.

Susan Hempstead, from Sno-Isle Libraries, highlighted the initiative's alignment with their mission to empower community members. The Independence Award is presented annually by the National Association of Election Officials to recognize excellence in election professionalism. This recognition underscores the significance of community partnerships in improving voter education and participation.