One of 46 Programs Honored by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission for Innovation, Sustainability, and Replicability
Durham, NC — Today, the Durham County Board of Elections announced they were recognized for excellence in election administration with a national Clearinghouse Award in the inaugural ‘Uniformed and Overseas Voters: Exemplary Service to Assist Military and Overseas Voters’ category. This award marks the Board of Elections’ 5th Clearinghouse award recognition within six years.
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) presents these awards annually to recognize best practices in election administration. This year’s winning programs took place during the 2025 election cycle.
The Durham County Board of Elections’ UOCAVA Ballot Distribution Tool was one of 46 programs that were recognized with a Clearinghouse Award. The Board of Elections launched the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) Ballot Distribution Tool to streamline ballot delivery for military and overseas voters. Integrated with the county’s Ballot Tracker Application, the system automates key steps, reduces manual workload, and improves accuracy. It also standardizes and speeds up email notifications, ensuring voters receive timely and reliable ballot information. This tool enhances efficiency for staff and strengthens confidence in the integrity of the ballot delivery process.
The Board of Elections also received honorable mentions for the creation of a Precinct Official Knowledge Base and Election Official Supplemental Security Plan.
“We are incredibly excited to receive this prestigious recognition from the United States Election Assistance Commission,” says Elections Director Derek Bowens. “The Board and staff work incredibly hard to ensure all eligible voters have unfettered access to the ballot box, and we appreciate this affirmation of that core objective. Congratulations to the other 45 jurisdictions that have been recognized for their innovation in election administration. Your service towards preserving core tenets of our constitutional republic does not go unnoticed.”
More information on the Clearies and each awardee is available on eac.gov/clearies.
If you have questions about Board of Elections services, please visit our website at www.dcovotes.com, contact us by phone at 919-560-0700, or email us at elections@dconc.gov. Sign up on our Get Elections Notifications page or download our DCo Votes App, available in the App Store or Google Play Store, to receive the latest election news!
###