DES MOINES – State Director of Elections Dawn Williams is retiring after serving for more than 30 years as an election professional in Iowa. Williams’ last day in the Secretary of State’s Office is Friday, January 4. In commemoration of her service, Secretary of State Paul Pate is honoring Williams with a National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) Medallion Award.

The NASS Medallion Award allows Secretaries of State to recognize outstanding service and dedication by individuals, groups or organizations in furthering NASS’ mission. Williams was inducted into The Election Center’s Hall of Fame during ceremonies in 2018. Only 13 other election professionals in the country have received that honor. Recipients are selected because they have earned respect and trust among their peers and furthered the elections profession through their conduct and actions.

“It has been an honor to serve in Secretary Pate’s administration, serve Iowa counties and Iowa voters in my capacity as the State Director of Elections,” Williams said. “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to hold a job that I loved going to every day and to know that I made a difference in some small way.”

Dawn Williams joined the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office in January 2015. Prior to that, she worked in the Marshall County Auditor’s Office from 1988-2014, first serving as Election Director and later County Auditor and Recorder.

“We will miss Dawn’s leadership and knowledge,” Secretary Pate said. “She is respected both statewide and nationally by election professionals. I’m very grateful Dawn served on my staff these past four years.”

Williams’ impact on election administration goes far beyond Iowa’s borders. She served as co-chair of the voter registration committee for the 2000 National Task Force on Election Reform and was the National Task Force on Election Reform co-chair in 2004. Williams has also been a member of The Election Center’s Professional Education Board since 2003 and served on the Professional Practices Committee from 2003 to 2017.

Williams’ retirement plans include travel, golf, volunteering and gardening.

A photo of Secretary Pate presenting Dawn Williams with the NASS Medallion Award is available at this link.

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