Office Initiatives
Honoring Excellence
The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State regularly honors the outstanding achievements of Minnesotans and Minnesotan organizations with the Minnesota Excellence in Elections Award, and National Association of Secretaries of State Medallion and John Lewis Youth Leadership Awards.
Minnesota Excellence in Election Award Recipients
The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State's Excellence in Election Award honors election workers for their outstanding service to the State of Minnesota. The award was created in 2025.
2025
- Helen Burgstaler - Election judge in Crow Wing County for 75 years
- Debby Erickson - Crow Wing County Administrator
- Kathy Toensing - Crow Wing County Operations Support Supervisor and Elections Supervisor
- Jon Blevins, St. Louis County Information Specialist III
- Phil Chapman, St. Louis County Clerk of County Board/Elections Manager
- Amanda Inman, Municipal Services Secretary of the City of Mountain Iron
- Dawn Kehoe, Deputy Clerk/Treasurer for the City of Cook
- Theresa Martinson, Former City Administrator for the City of Cook
National Association of Secretaries of State Medallion Award Recipients
The National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) Medallion Award allows individual Secretaries of State to recognize people or organizations for outstanding service and dedication to furthering the mission of NASS within the states.
2024
- Bibi Black - In honor of Bibi Black’s outstanding service to the state and people of Minnesota and her 43-year tenure with the Office of the Secretary of State
- Luis Fitch - In honor of Luis Fitch’s service to the state and people of Minnesota as Chair of the State Emblems Redesign Commission
- Dr. Anita Gaul - In honor of Dr. Anita Gaul’s service to the state and people of Minnesota as Vice Chair of the State Emblems Redesign Commission
- Andrew Prekker - In honor of Andrew Prekker’s service to the state and people of Minnesota as the designer of the original design for the new Minnesota State Flag
- Ross Bruggink – In honor of Ross Bruggink’s service to the state and people of Minnesota as the designer of the original design for the new Minnesota State Seal
2023
- CAPI USA - For outstanding community voter outreach efforts
- Indian Cultural Association of Minnesota (ICAM) - For outstanding community voter outreach efforts
- Mike Dean - For outstanding leadership in empowering Minnesota college students
- Native American Community Development Institute (NACDI) - For outstanding community voter outreach efforts
- Restore the Vote Coalition - For organizing the successful effort to restore voting rights to people on probation or parole
View history of NASS Medallion Award recipients.
National Association of Secretaries of State John Lewis Youth Leadership Award Recipients
The John Lewis Youth Leadership Award was established in 2021 by NASS. The award recognizes those 25 years or younger who have demonstrated leadership abilities, have a passion for social justice, and are motivated to improve the quality of life in their community.
2025
2024
2023