County clerk honored for promoting voting
Douglas County Clerk Jamie Shew is getting special recognition from the Lawrence-Douglas County League of Women Voters.
Shew is this year’s recipient of the Helen Fluker Open and Accessible Government Award.
“He is extremely dedicated to giving every voter every opportunity to vote at election time,” said Ruth Lichtwardt, who nominated Shew for the award.
Lichtwardt, a longtime election polling place worker, said Shew emphasizes to workers the importance of letting someone cast a ballot, even if it is a provisional one, or helping to make sure someone gets to the correct polling place to vote. She also noted that Shew initiated steps to increase the opportunities for county residents to take part in advance voting.
It was also under Shew’s watch as county clerk that an election Web site was established to help the public find information about candidates and the voting process, said Carrie Lindsey, the league’s president.
Shew said he was surprised and honored to receive the award. He said his staff played a large part in what his office has accomplished.
“I have a strong belief that government should be open and responsive to citizens, and our office works very hard to make that happen,” Shew said.
Shew will be honored Sunday at the Helen Fluker Award Banquet in the Brandon Woods Smith Center, 1501 Inverness Drive. A reception will be at 11:30 a.m. followed by a noon lunch.
The cost to attend is $13.50. Reservations can be made by calling 766-8561, or you can pay at the door.