Idaho Secretary of State McGrane Touts National Election Administration Awards Ahead of May Primary

Idaho’s elections office claimed four national awards this year from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, a recognition that Secretary of State Phil McGrane says reflects the state’s growing reputation for innovative election administration.

The commission distributed 46 Clearinghouse Awards — known informally as the “Clearies” — this cycle, selected from a record 200 entries. The awards recognize best practices in election administration, evaluating programs on innovation, sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and their potential to be replicated by election offices nationwide.

What Idaho Won

The Secretary of State’s Office received two of the four awards. The first recognized the 12 Principles of Idaho Elections, a statewide commitment document signed by all 44 county clerks designed to help voters understand how Idaho elections are conducted and why they are considered secure, accessible, and accurate.

The second award recognized Transparent by Design: Idaho’s Interactive Election Data Initiative, a suite of public-facing dashboards on VoteIdaho.gov that presents election and campaign finance data in an accessible, easy-to-navigate format.

Ada County Elections received the remaining two awards — one for its Ballot Verifier tool, and one for a Sasquatch-themed “I Voted” sticker design.

McGrane’s Remarks

McGrane framed the recognition as a reflection of the people running elections at both the state and county level. “The people running Idaho’s elections are thoughtful, hardworking, creative, and deeply committed to serving voters well,” he said in a statement released May 15.

He noted that the awards carry added significance because they are designed to highlight programs other jurisdictions can actually adopt — positioning Idaho as a model for election offices across the country.

Timing and Context

The announcement comes days before Idaho’s May 19 primary election, which features several competitive races across the state. McGrane has used the lead-up to the primary to draw attention to election transparency and administrative processes.

Idaho’s election administration has attracted national attention in recent years as debates over election security and voter access have intensified across the country. The Clearinghouse Awards recognition suggests Idaho’s approach — emphasizing transparency tools and county-level coordination — is gaining traction as a potential model for other states.

The Secretary of State’s Office oversees statewide election administration and coordinates with Idaho’s 44 county clerks, who manage elections at the local level.