Kennebunk Town Clerk Merton Brown was named recipient of the 2017 Lorraine M. Fleury Award, which Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap presented to him during the Maine State Elections Administration Conference on Wednesday, May 9th.
Each year, the Secretary of State solicits nominations for the award, named for long-time state Director of Elections Lorraine M. Fleury. The department presents the award to recognize and honor an individual who has made a significant contribution to the election process and who exemplifies the qualities of fairness, experience, knowledge and service.
“The integrity and efficiency of the election process depends almost entirely on the devoted service of municipal elections officials,” said Dunlap. “It’s always a challenge to single any one of them out, but the acknowledgement and praise from co-workers, neighbors, colleagues, and the elected officials who also serve our communities makes this an incredibly gratifying process.”
Brown has more than 40 years of election experience, which he has shared with many other clerks through mentoring as well as workshops. His nominations noted that he “has a positive, thoughtful attitude” and “is an endless source of information and inspiration to his fellow clerks and voters, making sure their voices are heard.” Brown currently serves as president of the York County Clerk’s Association and has organized voter registration drives at the local high school and extended office hours at the town office for residents so they would have an opportunity to register to vote.