Pierce County has won a National Association of Counties (NACo) Award for using the latest technology to streamline elections.

During the 2016 Presidential Election, Pierce County needed a secure and more efficient way to check in hundreds of temporary election workers. The county implemented biometric time clocks to streamline time entry for these workers. Now up to 20 workers can check in per minute with just a swipe of a finger. The new system is expected to save $10,000 per year by reducing staff time spent on payroll processing and will eliminate the need for hundreds of paper time sheets.

The award recognizes that Pierce County is one of the first counties in the Pacific Northwest to use biometric time clocks for elections. Thanks to the new system, staff can focus on quickly and accurately processing ballots and certifying results. Other county departments are also adopting the clocks to save time and money.

“The Pierce County Auditor’s Office never sits on its laurels. Our Elections Division has a stellar reputation for always striving to be more efficient and more precise,” Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson said. “Thanks to our partners in Pierce County Finance, Human Resources, and Information Technology, our biometric time clock project will save time and money, as well as increase accuracy.”

About the NACo Achievement Awards

The National Association of Counties (NACo) is a non-profit organization that represents America’s 3,069 county governments. Started in 1970, NACo’s annual award program recognizes innovative county government programs. Awards are given in 21 different categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide.