The Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections (BVRE) is proud to announce it has received two prestigious 2024 National Clearinghouse Awards (“Clearies”) from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), recognizing outstanding achievement in election administration.
BVRE earned top honors in both the Communications and Accessibility categories, underscoring the department’s ongoing commitment to innovation, inclusion, and meaningful voter engagement. The programs are two of just 53 recognized with Clearies this year.
The award for Distinguished Voter Education and Communications Initiatives was presented for Owlbert Learns to Vote, a children’s book developed in partnership with Charleston County Public Library (CCPL). The story follows Owlbert, the library’s beloved mascot, and his classmates as they navigate a decision-making process that mirrors real-world voting. Designed to introduce civic concepts in a fun and relatable way, the book highlights the values of participation, cooperation, and respectful disagreement. The project has garnered national attention from civic organizations, educators, election officials, and media outlets.
BVRE also received the award for Best Practices for Improving Accessibility for Voters with Disabilities for the creation and launch of its Voter Accessibility Advisory Committee (VAAC). This committee aims to bring together advocates and community members to provide direct input on how to make voting more inclusive. From evaluating polling location access to identifying and removing barriers, the committee plays a vital role in ensuring that Charleston County’s elections are equitable and accessible to all eligible voters.
“We are incredibly honored to receive further national recognition for Owlbert Learns to Vote, as well as praise for the Voter Accessibility Advisory Committee,” said BVRE Executive Director Isaac Cramer. “These initiatives reflect our commitment to reaching voters of all ages and abilities through creativity, collaboration, and community engagement. It’s a testament to the power of partnerships and our dedication to making the voting process more accessible and inspiring for everyone in Charleston County.”
“Advancing literacy and educating our community on key resources are vital parts of the library’s core mission, so this book was the perfect opportunity to meet those goals through a collaborative effort. We are honored to be recognized along with the BVRE for this work,” said CCPL Executive Director Angela Craig.
The Clearies play an essential role in fulfilling the EAC’s mission to serve as a clearinghouse for election administration information under the Help America Vote Act. The EAC is an independent, bipartisan federal agency solely focused on election administration. Submissions were judged on innovation, sustainability, outreach, cost-effectiveness, replicability, and the generation of positive results.
EAC Chairman Donald Palmer, Vice Chair Thomas Hicks, and Commissioners Christy McCormick and Ben Hovland praised the 2024 Clearie winners in a joint statement:
“This year’s Clearinghouse Award-winning programs truly shined amid the high voter turnout in 2024. They are examples of the outstanding work election officials did to support tens of millions of voters during the presidential election. After nearly a decade, the Clearinghouse Awards continue to grow, with a record number of entries received this year. These programs show how state and local election offices are the incubators of innovation. We are pleased to lift their ideas up and celebrate them on a national stage.”
BVRE has a proud track record of national recognition. The office previously received a Clearinghouse Award for its Partnerships at the Polls initiative, which included Adopt a Polling Location and Day for Democracy. It had also earned an Honorable Mention in the past for the I Voted! Sticker Design Contest.
These most recent honors mark another important milestone as BVRE continues to lead the way in developing thoughtful, voter-centered programs. The department remains dedicated to setting the standard for accessible, innovative, and trusted resources while serving as a model for election offices across the country.
For more information about Charleston County elections and voter services, or to check your voter registration, visit CHSVotes.gov.
