2025 - Winner for Distinguished Voter Education and Communications Initiatives

Recognizing the importance of investing in future 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. Developed in 2025 through a partnership with the Chicago Bears, the program engages students through a culturally relevant platform. Students from 24 suburban high schools were trained and certified to operate on-campus early voting sites, managing check-in, ballot processing, and equipment under supervision. The initiative builds civic confidence, demystifies election operations, and creates a pipeline of future election judges and engaged voters. With the Bears support amplifying outreach, the program shows how innovative partnerships can empower the next generation of civic leaders.