craigdailypress.com

A veteran Moffat County election official recently finished an educational program she began seven years ago, earning a certification through a national organization.

Lila Herod, Moffat County chief deputy clerk and recorder since 1999 and an election official since 1990, graduated from the Certified Election Registration and Administration Program in August.

Across the U.S., there are about 520 graduates of the program. Herod was graduate No. 510.

The program, which requires completing 12 courses in various election subjects, is operated through the National Association of Election Officials, a nonprofit organization designed to "promote, preserve and improve democracy."

To complete the program, Herod completed day-and-a-half classes on the weekend in subjects such as election history, ethics, management, communications, law, budget and new programs.

Her opinion of the quality of Moffat County's election processes was reinforced during the program.

"Our elections are top-notch, and I think it's because of those classes and that kind of training," Herod said about the program and additional workshops and seminars she and other election officials go through.

The election program, designed by faculty at Auburn University, required Herod attend classes at various places across the country, including Auburn, Portland, Ore., San Francisco, Denver and Colorado Springs.

"I enjoyed the history and the law classes the most," she said, the latter being one she previously had dreaded. "(The law class) ended up being one of the best classes I took."

Last month, Herod and other county officials began preparing for the November election.

Organizing an election generally takes two to three months of prep work, she said.

Fortunately, it's work she's grown to love.

Herod is working for her fourth county clerk - she's been with clerk Elaine Sullivan through her first term and now into her second - and helped conduct numerous elections in that time.

"You either love it or hate it," she said about election work. "I love it. I'm a planner and an organizer, so it's been a good fit for me and Moffat County."