FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The Coconino County Elections Department opened a new election center in Flagstaff last week. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on January 22 and was attended by local dignitaries, including Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes.

The new 9,000-square-foot Election Center will provide space for all Election Department staff to work in the field, consolidating operations under one roof. The Center emphasizes county leadership's commitment to integrity and transparency in the election administration process. Leveraging best practices and feedback from partners such as the Arizona Secretary of State and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Election Center is incorporating accessibility, transparency, and security into Coconino County's election administration. This facility is equipped with the tools and resources to accurately and accurately perform candidate submissions, ballot counting, and statutory manual audits.

“Separate rooms for ballot tabulation and hand count audits allow staff to more efficiently count votes by allowing these functions to be performed simultaneously,” said Coconino County Board of Supervisors Chairman Geronimo Vasquez. I can do that.'' “Each room also has a window for observers to see and document every step of the counting process.”

The new facility will help preserve our core values ​​of democracy and enable our community to make a meaningful impact through voting.

The event also featured a screening of the documentary “No Time to Fail,” presented by the Carter Center.

“Transparent and reliable elections are the cornerstone of the Carter Center's work. The Center is committed to helping the new election center become a trusted source of information for voters and strengthen ties between election officials and local communities. We applaud the Coconino County elections officials for ensuring that the election is a success,” said David Carroll, director of the Carter Center's Democracy Program.

Following the screening of the documentary, attendees held a question-and-answer session with Rob Locke, Rhode Island's Deputy Secretary of State and one of the leaders featured in the film.

By working with the Center and utilizing its guidance materials, the Coconino County Elections Department is empowering full-time, temporary, and volunteer election staff to provide services.

For more information about Coconino County elections, including voting locations, candidate filing, financial disclosures and other services, visit coconino.az.gov/Elections.