Davis credits Clay County poll workers

CLAY COUNTY-Tennessee has once again claimed the top spot in the Heritage Foundation’s Election Integrity Scorecard—marking a historic fourth consecutive year as the nation’s leader in secure and trustworthy elections.

No other state has achieved the distinction of being ranked #1 four years in a row since the scorecard’s inception.

Local election administrator Monica Davis gave Clay County’s election commission and poll workers credit for helping contribute to the state’s overall success.

“We are fortunate to have a dedicated election commission in Clay County,” Davis said, “and we wouldn’t be able to carry out secure elections without the involvement of our poll workers.

“They work long hours on election day and during early voting.”

Secretary of State Tre Hargett also praised the recognition and attributed it to the work of county election commissions like the one here and the efforts of state lawmakers.

“This ranking reflects the tireless work of our county election commissions and the General Assembly’s commitment to protecting the ballot box,” Hargett said.  “In Tennessee, it’s easy to vote and hard to cheat—and that’s exactly how it should be.”

Mark Goins, Coordinator of Elections, also emphasized the role of local officials like Davis.

“This recognition reflects the dedication and professionalism of election officials across all 95 counties,” he said.  “We work year-round to ensure every vote is counted accurately and securely, and it’s gratifying to see that effort acknowledged nationally.”

The Heritage Foundation’s comprehensive evaluation of all 50 states cited Tennessee’s robust voter ID laws, rigorous voter registration list maintenance, and bipartisan election oversight as key factors in its continued success.

The scorecard assesses a wide range of criteria, including absentee ballot management, vote counting procedures, and transparency in election administration.

“Lt. Governor Randy McNally, Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton, Chairman Richard Briggs, Chairman John Crawford, Chairman Tim Rudd, and the Tennessee General Assembly deserve immense credit for working with us to craft and pass some of the strongest election integrity laws in the country,” Hargett added.  “Their commitment to voter ID, transparent ballot procedures, and secure registration practices has made Tennessee a national model.”

Hargett also explained Tennessee’s consistent top ranking underscores its role as a national benchmark for election integrity.

“The state remains committed to ensuring that every eligible voter can cast a ballot with confidence—and that every vote is protected,” he said.