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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
CONGRATULATING THE COOK COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE ON RECEIVING THE U.S. ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION’S CLEARINGHOUSE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN ELECTION ADMINISTRATION
WHEREAS, as the chief election authority for suburban Cook County, the Cook County Clerk bears the vital responsibility of safeguarding elections that are fair, efficient, accessible, and secure, a charge that Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon has embraced with seriousness, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to expanding voter participation; and
WHEREAS, recognizing the importance of investing in the next generation of civic leaders, Clerk Monica Gordon launched a High School Early Voting Program for the 2026 Gubernatorial Election in Cook County, placing students at the center of real-world election operations as both Election Judges and voters; and
WHEREAS, the Clerk’s “Defenders of DA’mocracy” program is believed to be the first of its kind in the nation and was developed through a public-private partnership with the Chicago Bears; and through Bears-branded materials, video messages, and leadership participation, the initiative uses a culturally relevant platform to engage students in meaningful civic participation and make the election process tangible and exciting for young people; and
WHEREAS, students from 24 suburban high schools were trained and certified as official Election Judges to operate on-campus Early Voting sites for the March 17 Gubernatorial Primary, and, under the supervision of the Clerk’s Office, they managed voter check-in, ballot processing, and equipment while adhering to strict security and chain-of-custody protocols, thereby gaining an authentic and hands-on civic experience; and
WHEREAS, the initiative builds civic confidence, demystifies election administration, and cultivates a pipeline of future Election Judges and engaged young voters; and with the support of the Chicago Bears amplifying outreach, the program demonstrates how innovative partnerships can expand participation and empower the next generation of civic leaders; and
WHEREAS, by combining traditional election tools, including voter check-in systems and ballot processing, with innovative engagement strategies, the program cultivates future civic leaders while expanding participation; and its adaptable design offers a scalable model that can be replicated to engage young people in meaningful, hands-on civic participation; and
WHEREAS, the program strengthens outcomes for voters, students, and election administrators alike; and by placing Early Voting sites inside high schools, it removes barriers and provides convenient, trusted locations within local communities, while introducing young voters to the process in a familiar environment that increases confidence and encourages long-term participation; and
WHEREAS, the program builds a sustainable pipeline of trained Election Judges and Polling Place Technicians; and students receive hands-on training, gain paid civic experience, and often return to serve in future elections, an investment that reduces staffing shortages, enhances professionalism at polling locations, and strengthens operational continuity; and beyond its operational value, the initiative has instilled a renewed sense of pride among Elections staff, who play a direct role in welcoming young voters into a lifelong relationship with civic participation; and
WHEREAS, the program transforms civic education into civic action, cultivating the next generation of informed voters and defenders of democracy while strengthening election operations for years to come; and
WHEREAS, this year, the Cook County Clerk’s Office was recognized by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) with a national Clearinghouse Award for excellence in election administration in the category of Distinguished Voter Education and Communications Initiatives for its innovative High School Early Voting Program; and
WHEREAS, the EAC presents these awards annually to recognize best practices in election administration, and the Clerk’s Defenders of DA’mocracy High School Early Voting Program was one of 46 programs nationwide to receive a Clearinghouse Award; and
WHEREAS, also known as the “Clearies,” these awards play an essential role in fulfilling the EAC’s mission under the Help America Vote Act to serve as a clearinghouse for election administration information, and the EAC is an independent, bipartisan federal agency solely focused on election administration; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Clerk’s Office will continue expanding the Defenders of DA’mocracy initiative by creating new opportunities for young people to engage with leadership, government, and civic participation in ways that feel real and meaningful, including bringing interactive civic engagement experiences directly into classrooms across the county and offering Civics and Social Sciences instruction focused on voting, elections, leadership, civic responsibility, and community impact.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the President and members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners that this body hereby congratulates Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon and the Cook County Clerk’s Office on receiving the EAC’s Clearinghouse Award for the Defenders of DA’mocracy High School Early Voting Program; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners commends and supports continued efforts to expand this program and encourages broader participation in its events and initiatives so that more young people may serve as Election Judges and become meaningfully engaged in the electoral process.
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