2024 - Honorable Mention for Exemplary Contingency Planning and Emergency Response Efforts

To help bring awareness to the importance of contingency planning for election day, the Paulding County Elections & Voter Registration Office implemented real-life scenarios into its poll worker training. The office used actors to demonstrate different issues that could happen in real life to see how the poll workers would respond. The Paulding County Elections and Voter Registration Office implemented a safety protocol guide and contingency plan for poll workers. They utilized existing resources from the EAC, the FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security, along with tools from state and local governments, to train and prepare poll workers for emergency situations. The scenarios covered power outages, unattended packages, irate and threatening voters, medical emergencies, and proper credential validation. Poll workers and managers were also trained in CPR, using an AED Device, choking, active shooter drills, inclement weather responses, and administering NARCAN due to exposure to deadly drugs. The training was featured on ABC Nightly News, and poll workers left the training feeling confident in knowing that they could handle any situation that could possibly arise.