NEWS RELEASE

The Indian River County Supervisor of Elections Office announced that Tricia Boyle, Accounting and Operations Coordinator and Stephanie Nelson, Technical Programs Coordinator have received their Certified Elections/Registration Administrator (CERA) designation, the highest professional achievement awarded by the Election Center, a non-profit association comprised of voter registrars and elections administrators throughout America.

“The Indian River County Supervisor of Elections Office is indeed fortunate to have six out of nine full time employees earn CERA status. Obtaining and maintaining CERA status demonstrates the Elections Office commitment to a career long process of continuing education in order to improve the electoral process in Florida and the nation,” Supervisor of Elections, Leslie Swan stated.

CERA designation is achieved through a multi-year course of study conducted by The Election Center’s Professional Education Program and completion of twelve core courses ranging from ethics, to voter registration and elections law, planning, communications, and voter participation, among others. Courses are taught by the Master’s in Public Administration faculty of Auburn University.

The intent of the program is to professionalize the management of voter registration and elections administration while promoting and preserving public trust in the democratic process.

“This is the highest designation available to elections and voter registration officials,” said R. Doug Lewis, director of the Center. “Of more than 21,000 elections and voter registration officials throughout America, this graduating class of 58 professionals takes us to 849 election officials who have achieved the CERA status. This is an outstanding accomplishment.”

Tricia Boyle has been a resident of Indian River County since 2009 and has worked at the Elections Office for five years. She is a graduate of the University of Central Florida where she earned her Bachelor’s in Finance.

Stephanie Nelson has also been a resident of Indian River County since 2009 and has worked at the Elections Office for three years. She is a graduate of the University of Florida where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management.