In the News

Two Charleston County BVRE Leaders Earn Prestigious Certification Status

The Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections (BVRE) is celebrating two of its leaders for attaining highly specialized certifications. BVRE Executive Director Isaac Cramer and Voter Registration and Absentee Manager Ben Leeson have both become Certified Elections/Registration Administrators (CERA) through The National Association of Election Officials’ Election Center. To reach CERA status, the two were required to complete the Professional Education Program’s extensive coursework as part of the Election Center’s partnership with Auburn University. According to the Election Center, “The Professional Education Program is the only program of continuing professional education which specializes in voter registration and elections administration. Participants receive continuing education units (CEUs) from Auburn University and Election Center credit towards the achievement of the profession's highest designation. Earning this prestigious honor demonstrates the thorough knowledge and preparedness of the department’s leaders to provide the best service possible to Charleston County voters. Cramer and Leeson will continue to enroll in the program’s courses to maintain their status. The Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections is responsible for conducting all municipal, state, and federal elections that are held in Charleston County. BVRE also conducts outreach events with community members that encourage election education and participation.

For more information about Charleston County elections and voter services, or to check your voter registration, visit CHSVotes.gov.

Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections Completes Move to New Headquarters

The Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections (BVRE) has begun operations at its new headquarters, located at 4340 Corporate Road in North Charleston.

On Aug. 7, 2023, BVRE officially moved to the recently renovated, 40,000-square-foot facility. The building, which features open floor plans and 129 paved parking spaces, will help the department deliver improved services to Charleston County voters.

The new setting will allow for large, on-site training classes for poll workers, a voting lab to conduct voter education sessions, and adequate space to host elections of any size. Sitting along Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority's Leeds Avenue route, the Corporate Road location will also provide greater accessibility to voters.

“We are thrilled to move to our new and better facility, which offers modern amenities, enhanced security capabilities, and added convenience for our voters. The new location reflects our commitment to upholding the values of democracy and supplying residents with excellent service. This is a significant improvement that will strengthen confidence and trust in our electoral process in Charleston County,” stated BEVR Executive Director Isaac Cramer.

Office hours remain 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on election days. Prospective poll workers will be contacted with information about training at the new building.

The Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections is responsible for conducting all county, state, and federal elections that are held in Charleston County. BVRE also conducts outreach events with community members that encourage election education and participation. For more information about Charleston County elections and voter services, visit CHSVotes.gov.

Nationally Recognized Charleston County Elections Programs Win Statewide Award

The Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections (BVRE) has won the 2023 J. Mitchell Graham Memorial Award from the South Carolina Association of Counties (SCAC) for its “Partnerships at the Polls” initiative. This includes the “Adopt a Polling Location (APL)” and “Day for Democracy (DFD)” programs, which were previously recognized with a national Clearinghouse Award from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

According to SCAC, the J. Mitchell \ Graham Memorial Award “recognizes counties that address community challenges, implement operational improvements, or enhance their citizens’ quality of life in a unique way.”

BVRE's Partnerships at the Polls addresses staffing needs at polling locations to ensure safe, secure, and smooth Election Day operations for Charleston County voters. Its two programs found tremendous success in 2022, which was the first year either program was piloted in South Carolina.

APL allows non-partisan groups to lead local polling locations on Election Day. The organizations provide their staff members, who are trained by BVRE to serve as poll workers. The earnings for working each election are then donated to local nonprofits chosen by each group. In 2022, six organizations participated in APL and raised more than $10,000 to support the community.

DFD trains Charleston County employees to work at the polls on Election Day. The employees are given an opportunity to further serve citizens without needing to take time off for this civic duty. DFD ensures voters receive reliable and professional service from County workers, while trust is also fostered between the County and its residents. 128 County employees joined DFD in its first year. In a survey provided to participants after Election Day, 95 percent of respondents indicated that they would serve in another election.

“These programs are more than just a way to staff the polls on Election Day. They are a testament to the power of civic engagement and service. By participating in these programs, our residents and County employees have shown their commitment to our democracy, our values, and our people. I am proud of the success of these programs and the positive impact they have made in the community. We are proud to be a model for the state and the county as this initiative continues to grow,” said BVRE Executive Director Isaac Cramer.

To learn more about these programs and about voting in Charleston County, visit CHSVotes.gov.

Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections wins U.S. Election Assistance Commission National Clearinghouse Award

On Tuesday, May 23, 2023, Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections (BVRE) was recognized with a 2022 national Clearinghouse Award. Also known as the "Clearies," the honors are awarded by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) in celebration of innovation and service by election offices across the country.

BVRE's Partnerships at the Polls, which includes the Adopt a Polling Location (APL) and Day for Democracy (DFD) programs, won in the "Best Practices in Recruiting, Retaining, and Training Poll Workers" category. BVRE's initiative was one of 24 programs recognized during the 2022 midterms.

"The spotlight on U.S. elections has never been brighter, and the EAC is pleased to honor the work of these offices to make elections more secure, technologically advanced, and accessible to voters," said EAC Chairwoman Christy McCormick, Vice Chair Ben Hovland, Commissioner Donald Palmer, and Commissioner Thomas Hicks in a joint statement. "Especially as election administrators prepare for the 2024 presidential election, we encourage them to review the great work of these Clearie Award-winning jurisdictions for ideas they may want to replicate in their communities."

The EAC is an independent, federal agency that focuses on election administration. According to award organizers, entrants were judged based on innovation, sustainability, outreach, cost-effectiveness, replicability, and the generation of positive results.

"Receiving a Clearinghouse Award for best practices in poll worker recruitment and retention is a testament to our unwavering commitment to democracy. We firmly believe that the strength of our elections is centered in the dedication and integrity of those who serve as the backbone of our electoral process,” stated BVRE Executive Director Isaac Cramer. “Winning this prestigious recognition is a resounding affirmation of our tireless efforts to cultivate a diverse and engaged poll worker community, empowering every citizen to actively participate in shaping our nation's future."

APL gives non-partisan groups the opportunity to "adopt" a polling location on Election Day. Staffers from each organization are trained to serve as poll managers. Their pay for working the day is then donated directly to a local nonprofit of choice, reinvesting the funds into the community. Six organizations participated in the program in 2022, raising more than $10,000 throughout the year.

DFD provides Charleston County employees with training and additional pay for working at the polls on Election Day. Charleston County workers can further serve their community without needing to take paid time off to perform this civic duty. With DFD, voters can benefit by receiving reliable staffing and professional service, while trust is also built between Charleston County's employees and the citizens they serve. 128 Charleston County workers participated in the inaugural DFD initiative. An after-action survey found that nearly 95% of respondents said they would participate again.

BVRE plans to build upon the success of both programs within Partnerships at the Polls for many years to come. If you are interested in having your organization participate in APL, visit CHSVotes.gov to learn more.

Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections, Stingrays raise thousands of dollars for CCPL's Free & Fresh program

The Charleston County Board of Elections & Voter Registration (BVRE) once again partnered with the South Carolina Stingrays to assist Charleston County Public Library's (CCPL) Free & Fresh program.

On Saturday, Nov. 5, the Stingrays donned specialty "Get Out and Vote" jerseys while skating to a 4-2 victory over the Atlanta Gladiators. Those jerseys were then auctioned off, garnering $3,500 in funding for the library's community fridge program.

The night also served as a celebration of local poll workers while encouraging Charleston County residents to vote in the 2022 General Election. Turnout for the midterm surpassed 58% in the county, which was several percentage points higher than the state's average of about 51%.

Additionally, in June, the Stingrays joined our Adopt a Polling Location initiative. Those participants donated their pay for working the election back to the library to support the free food project.

In total, BVRE and the Stingrays raised $5,260 throughout 2022 for CCPL's Free & Fresh program.

We are proud of this fantastic achievement and appreciate our shared goal of serving Charleston County residents. BVRE is looking forward to continuing this wonderful partnership in 2023.

If you are interested in adopting a polling location with your group or organization, visit CHSVotes.gov to learn how you can get involved.

Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections, Frothy Beard Brewing Co. Partner for National Voter Registration Day Celebration

The Charleston County Board of Elections and Voter Registration and Frothy Beard Brewing Company are coming together for National Voter Registration Day!

The day, slated for Tuesday, Sept. 20 in 2022, aims to register new voters and helps ensure those who are eligible to vote are prepared for the upcoming General Election in November.

From 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., the Charleston County Elections team will be at the brewery to provide various voter services including: voter registration, poll worker signups, and making sure voters are vote ready.

In honor of the event, Frothy Beard will also rerelease the "I Voted" Kolsch beer on a limited run. The special brew was initially released as a collaborative effort between the brewery and Charleston County Elections in 2021. The beer will once again be available for purchase during this year's event.

Attendees will also be able to enjoy live music, as well as receive free CHS Votes gear!

Election Day is Nov. 8, 2022. Polls will be open in Charleston County from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

More information on September's event can be found here:

FACEBOOK EVENT: National Voter Registration Day at Frothy Beard Brewing Company

Voter Registration Citizen Communication Team Wins County Award for Efforts to Notify Voters

The Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections' Voter Registration Citizen Communication Team has been recognized for its efforts to inform voters. The team, which includes Dakota Blitch, Maybell Brown, Barbara Kennedy, Matthew Kibbey and Ben Leeson, was the recipient of a Charleston County Team Award. This comes after the group utilized postcards to notify the public of important district changes and the subsequent impacts to voters. By using an efficient method to share this information, costs to the county were ultimately reduced by $90,000. The team members collaborated to clearly share details displayed on the postcards and proofed this data with GIS mapping information.

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