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People’s Choice Award for Contra Costa Elections Division
The county’s elections division has garnered national recognition for a 2024 campaign, having earned the 2026 People’s Choice Award from the National Association of Election Officials for “Show, Don’t Tell.”
“One of our most important duties is building trust within our communities,” said Kristin Connelly, Contra Costa County clerk-recorder and registrar of voters in a press release Wednesday.”We do that by being transparent and accessible.”
The year-long campaign throughout 2024 was aimed at showing local voters exactly how elections work throughout the process, including ballot security and counting, via a range of digital and advertising platforms. It was funded by a national grant awarded to 16 different jurisdictions, including Contra Costa, with outreach efforts in the campaign including the training of 100 election ambassadors who helped spread its message.
According to the county’s press release, the campaign increased trust in local elections by 12%, with 45% of voters who had been skeptical about elections reporting that they gained a “fact-based understanding of how elections worked.”
“Elections are more secure than ever, and this campaign is a broader continuation of our work to proactively engage with our diverse communities and ensure everyone is aware of who we are, what we do, and why we are confident in our elections process,” Connelly said. “We are thrilled to have been selected to receive the People’s Choice Award for this important work.”
Government 101 applications
Applications are now open for the spring session of the City of San Ramon’s Government 101 course, aimed at providing residents an in-depth view of the city’s operations.
The seven-week program hosted by the City Clerk’s office covers topics ranging from administration, communications, and budgeting, and how decisions are made by city leaders.
The spring session is set to run on Monday evenings from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. starting March 2. Applications are due by Jan. 16. More information is available here.
Fire insurance webinar
The League of Women Voters of the Diablo Valley is sponsoring an upcoming webinar on the rising cost of fire insurance.
Moderated by ConFire Chief Lewis Broschard, the event will consist of a panel discussion featuring policy, insurance, and fire safety perspectives aimed at providing attendees insight into how insurance rates are determined, mitigation strategies, and legislation impacting fire insurance rates.
The talk is set for Thursday (Jan. 15) from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. More information and registration is available here.
All in for Kids
Stephen Vogt, a two-time American League Manager of the Year and former MLB All-Star who played for both the A’s and Giants, is hosting this year’s 2026 All In for Kids Celebrity Poker Tournament, an annual two-day celebration benefiting the School of Imagination & Happy Talkers.
According to its press release, the organization will celebrate 25 years of being “one of the region’s most impactful nonprofits serving children and their families.” The Dublin-based nonprofit primarily supports early childhood education for kids of all abilities.
Former Dublin mayor and now BART Director Melissa Hernandez will also be honored at the event as the 2026 honorary chair.
“The weekend brings together sports legends, civic champions, and business leaders to raise funds for inclusive education, early intervention, and family-centered therapies,” according to a press release.
