Jan Schoellman
By Kristin Bednarski
Sun staff

One of Clermont County’s dedicated election officials was selected to receive a Precinct Election Official Red Carpet Award from Secretary of State Jon Husted.

Clermont County Board of Elections Director Judy Miller said she nominated Schoellman to receive the award prior to the Nov. 6 election.

Miller said Schoellman has been working as an election official for 14 years and has worked 25 consecutive elections.

“Whenever we ask for help, she has always been very dependable,” Miller said.

Miller said Schoellman was extremely helpful in putting together and participating in a training video used to help train poll workers before the election.

“When we decided to do our training video she jumped right in and agreed to participate,” Miller said. “Then, she was very instrumental in helping with ideas.”

In addition to her involvement with the Clermont County Board of Elections, Schoellman is also involved with the community in many other ways.

She is an active member of the Clermont County Farm Bureau, the League of Women Voters in Clermont County, the Clermont County Retired Teachers Association and has also served as the office manager of the Clermont County Fair Board for 20 years.

Schoellman was one of two Precinct Election Officials to be selected as a PEO Red Carpet Award recipient.

Rick Hurtt, of Ross County, was the other Ohio election official to receive a PEO Red Carpet Award.

Schoellman said she was not expecting such an award.

“I was quite surprised,” Schoellman said. “I didn’t know such an award existed. I didn’t know she nominated me. I was very surprised and honored.”

Schoellman said she became involved with the board of elections when she retired from teaching.

“I’ve always been interested in the workings of government,” Schoellman said. “I like helping out the community and being of service.”

Schoellman said she also enjoys the social aspects of being a poll worker and getting to interact with people in the community.

Schoellman said she has worked every election since 1998 and has enjoyed stepping up wherever she is needed.

She said she was able to help with the training video this year, and played the role of a presiding judge in the video.

Miller said an official award presentation will take place sometime after Jan. 1.

“Secretary Jon Husted advised that he would be coming to Clermont County Board of Elections sometime after the first of the year to make a presentation in person,” Miller said.