ELECTION CENTER
THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ELECTION OFFICIALS
21946 Royal Montreal Drive, Suite 100
Katy, TX 77450
Phone: (281) 396-4309
Website: www.electioncenter.org
Email: services@electioncenter.org
August 2, 2021 For Further Information Contact: Tim Mattice (281) 396-4309
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Shawnesti Machado, Supervising Election Specialist for Merced County will be designated as a Certified Elections/Registration Administrator (CERA) the highest professional achievement for election officials in the country.
CERA designation is achieved only through a multi-year course of study taught by the Auburn University’s Master in Public Administration (MPA) faculty, Auburn, Alabama and conducted by the Election Center’s Professional Education Program. The intent of the program is to professionalize the management of voter registration and elections administration in promoting and preserving public trust in the democratic process.
“This is the highest designation available to elections and voter registration officials,” said Tim Mattice, director of the Center. This graduating class of 69 election professionals totals 1,335 election officials and election vendors who have achieved the CERA status. This is an outstanding accomplishment.”
“Merced County is indeed fortunate to have Shawnesti Machado as one of the top designated professionals in America. Obtaining and maintaining CERA status means that she has committed to a career long process of continuing education to improve the electoral process in California and the nation,” he stated.
The Professional Education Program is sponsored by the Election Center, a non-profit association of voter registrars, elections administrators and providers of election services throughout America and the U.S Territories. Its membership is comprised of township, city, county and state elections officials and other election related organizations. The Center’s primary purpose is to promote and support continuous improvement in the administration of elections and voter registration through research, professional education, conferences, networking and consulting. Professional Education Program participants receive continuing education credit from Auburn University as well as professional training credits from the Election Center.
Shawnesti Machado has served the voters of Merced County for almost two decades. She started in the Merced County Registrar of Voters office on October 1, 2001. She is proud to be part of democracy. She will continue to serve the voters of the State of California for many more years to come.
