The Wayne County Board of Elections has been recognized as Ohio’s Board of the Year, honoring its commitment to secure, transparent elections and service to local voters.
The award was announced at Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s annual elections conference, which brought together officials from 85 counties to focus on integrity, cybersecurity and voter confidence ahead of the November election.
“It means a great deal to be recognized by the state for what we do every day in serving the voters of Wayne County,” said Julie Leathers Stahl, director of the Wayne County Board of Elections. “It’s humbling, but it’s a great honor.”
Each year, the Secretary of State’s office selects one board for the honor, recognizing excellence in meeting election reporting deadlines, ensuring security and compliance and providing innovative voter outreach.
This year, Wayne County also was recognized for its voter and candidate academies, which help residents understand the election process and prepare for public office.
The award is not based on nominations, but on a review by the Secretary of State’s team.
“They pick one every year based on how we serve voters and that we’re doing all of our required things,” Leathers Stahl said.
The recognition underscores the local board’s role in maintaining voter trust while ensuring elections run smoothly and securely in a critical election year.
“I’m personally very proud of our team,” Leathers Stahl said. “It’s nice to be recognized for serving the voters of Wayne County.”
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Wayne County Board of Elections named Ohio Board of the Year – here’s how it happened
Reporting by Miranda McGrath, Wooster Daily Record / The Daily Record
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
