On Aug. 25, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) awarded the Utah State Legislature the Online Democracy Award at the NCSL Legislative Summit in Minneapolis. Awarded annually to a legislature, legislative chamber or caucus that promotes democracy through a user-friendly website, this year’s award was a recognition of le.utah.gov as an “information powerhouse.”
“Making government transparent and inclusive builds the nation quietly, but just as consequentially as volunteers registering new voters, pioneers charting the wilderness, or revolutionaries marching at Valley Forge,” said Senate President Wayne Niederhauser, who accepted the award alongside Utah House Speaker Rebecca Lockhart on behalf of the Legislature. “Online democracy is a giant leap in the evolution of local self-governance and human freedom.”
The website was specifically commended by judges for its sophisticated layout, feature-rich legislative calendar, search capabilities, integrated audio and video, mobile capabilities, special attention to accessibility, and features that encourage public feedback.
Utah also won the Online Democracy Award in 2005.
