The Santa Fe County Clerk’s Office has announced that it received the People’s Choice Award from the Election Center’s Professional Practice Awards for its real-time tabulator security program, Codename: Project Bruno. The announcement was made in a press release on February 26, 2025.
According to the Clerk’s Office, the People’s Choice Award recognizes innovative projects in election administration and highlights Project Bruno's impact on enhancing election security. Developed by Clerk Katharine E. Clark, this program monitors tabulators for potential risks such as power loss or unauthorized movement, ensuring elections remain secure and operational without affecting the tabulation process.
Project Bruno includes key features such as extended power resilience, real-time power loss alerts, GPS tracking, and accelerometer detection for unauthorized access. It provides a non-invasive monitoring system that helps election officials address security concerns promptly while maintaining transparency and election integrity. The program has set a new national standard for election security and was previously awarded the Guardian Award for its excellence.
"This project was built from the ground up to fill a crucial gap in election security," said Clark. "To have Project Bruno first win the Guardian Award and now the People’s Choice Award—voted on by my peers—is an incredible honor. I’m proud to be in Little Rock sharing this work with election officials across the country." She emphasized that "election security isn’t just about reacting—it’s about being proactive." Clark said that Project Bruno proves that "we can protect the process in real time while ensuring elections remain efficient and accessible." She concluded by saying that winning both awards is "a testament to the strength of this initiative and its impact nationwide."
Katharine E. Clark serves as the Santa Fe County Clerk, a position she has held since 2021. According to the Santa Fe County Clerk’s Office, her office is responsible for a range of duties as outlined by state law, including recording and safeguarding public documents such as real estate records and death certificates. The office also manages fair elections by overseeing voter registration and election processes within the county.
