AG 1996 09 16 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Election Center anintornationalservieea.sso¢iationofeleetionandvoterregistrationofficials 12543 Westella, Suite 100 Houston, TX 77077 713-293-0101 FAX: 713-293-0453 or 713-293-8739 8-22-96 For Further Information Contact: R. Doug Lewis FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Linda C. Grist, Director for Cabarrus County Board of Elections, has been designated as a Certified Elections/Registration Administrator (CERA), the highest professional achievement in ceremonies conducted by the Election Center at the Marriott Copely Place in Boston, MA, at noon on Friday, Sept. 6, 1996. CERA designation is achieved only through a multi-year course of study conducted by the Election Center's Professional Education Program and completion often core courses ranging from introduction to voter registration and elections, to law, ethics, planning and budgeting among others. The intent of the program is professionalize the management of voter registration and elections administration in promoting and preserving public trust in the democratic process. "There is no higher designation available to elections and voter registration officials," said R. Doug Lewis, director of the Center. "Of more than 18,000 elections and voter registration officials throughout America, less than 100 have achieved the CERA status." "Cabarms County is indeed fortunate to have Linda Grist as one of the top designated professionals in America. Obtaining and maintaining CERA status means the Grist has committed to a career long process of continuing education to improve the electoral process in North Carolina and the nation," he stated. "These truly are the people who make democracy possible." Lewis said. "Linda Grist and other CERA professionals serve as this nation's first line of defense for democracy. Because of them, Americans have a trust and public confidence in the democratic process. They have assurance that the system is fair, free, honest and accurate. The importance of what Grist is doing for Cabarrus County is incredible but rarely noticed." Grist an elections official for over four years, said "This is one of the most challenging education programs I have ever participated in. We covered the law, and ethical considerations in how to better serve the public. We also became more aware of how important it is to nurture and care for the democratic process." "It is my great honor to assure that the public's will is accurately reflected in our elections," Grist said. "I see my role to dignify ail potential voters and to remove as many barriers as possible to participation in the democratic process. Our office cannot be responsible for how many actuaily turn out for each election, but we can certainly be sure that they have the opportunity to vote and have their votes counted accurately." The Professional education Program is sponsored by The Election Center, a non-profit association of voter registrars and elections administrators throughout America. Its membership is comprised of township, city, county and state elections officials. The Center's primary purpose is education for local and state voter registrars and elections officials to promote the democratic process. The courses for the education program are taught by Auburn University's (Alabama) master's in public administration faculty and the Election Center's professional staff. Professional Education Program participants receive continuing education credit from Auburn as well as professional training credits from the Election Center. The Professional Education Program was recognized this year as the top continuing education program in America by the National University Continuing Education Association. "When Americans look for heroes, the first place they ought to look is at their local elections officials," Lewis said. "Without these people assuring that the public trust is protected, there would be no personal freedoms, no economic freedom, no government at any level. They are important to the very fabric of their communities, their state, and their nation. This is a very large responsibility." Grist was born and raised in Cabarrus County. "In being on the staffofthe Board of elections, I can find no better way to give back to this wonderful community all that it has afforded me and my family throughout the years." She is married to William F. Grist and has three children. She is the daughter of the late Sam W. Colerider, Jr. And Bea Colerider.