Detroit, MI-The Santa Fe County Clerk's Office has been awarded the 2024 Guardian Award for its Tabulator Security Program: Project Bruno at the 39th Annual National Election Center Conference in Detroit, Michigan. This recognition is particularly significant as Santa Fe County is the only county in New Mexico to receive an award from this organization, which is granted by fellow election administrators—making it a meaningful honor within the field of election administration.
Project Bruno is a first-of-its-kind pilot program designed to protect election tabulators from physical theft, tampering, and unforeseen disruptions. It incorporates advanced technology such as GPS tracking, geo-fencing, accelerometer sensors, and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) to ensure continuous security for tabulators left unattended at polling sites.
“Election integrity is one of our highest priorities,” said Santa Fe County Clerk Katharine E. Clark. “Project Bruno is a testament to our strive for excellence: maintaining secure, transparent, and accountable elections. Being recognized with the Guardian Award by our peers is an incredible honor and a reflection of the hard work we’ve done to protect the voting process.”
Throughout the 2024 Presidential Election year, the Santa Fe County Clerk’s Office received notable recognition for its election administration innovations. The office won several awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo), including the Civic Education and Public Information Award, County Resiliency Award, and Information Technology Award, as well as a 'Clearie' Award and two honorable mentions from the Election Assistance Commission (EAC). These honors highlight the office’s dedication to excellence in election security and accessibility. Additionally, Katharine E. Clark was appointed Vice Chair of NACo's Elections Subcommittee, and Rosangela Ortiz became Chair of the New Mexico Association of Counties Clerk’s Affiliate, showcasing Santa Fe County’s leadership in the field.
New Mexico is currently ranked #1 in election administration by the MIT Election Performance Index, and the work done by the Santa Fe County Clerk’s Office is a key contributor to maintaining that standard. Local and women-owned businesses played a critical role in supporting Project Bruno and ensuring its success.
The program was successfully deployed during the 2024 Primary Election at several early voting sites, with plans to expand for the upcoming General Election. This proactive approach underscores Santa Fe County’s earned national profile in excellence in election security and innovation.
For more information about Project Bruno or the Santa Fe County Clerk’s Office, contact Mitchell Steven Cox at (505) 992-9858 or visit www.santafecountynm.gov/clerk.
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