Andersen Award nominations sought

Nominations are now open for the 2024 James Andersen Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the goals of the Washington Coalition for Open Government. Deadline for nominations is Jan. 31, 2025.

The James Andersen Award is given annually to an individual or organization that has done something extraordinary to advance the efforts of WashCOG. It is named for the former Chief Justice of the Washington State Supreme Court, who served from 1992 until his retirement in 1995. Justice Andersen was a founding member of the WashCOG board of directors and the first recipient of its James Madison Award, which recognizes an individual or organization’s long-term commitment to the cause of open government. He passed away in May 2022 at age 97.

Last year’s award winner was Joan Mell, a government transparency attorney who has represented the Coalition in several cases, including one challenging the Washington State Redistricting Commission for violating the Open Public Meetings Act. She is also representing WashCOG in a challenge of the state legislature’s invocation of “legislative privilege” to deny any record access.

Other previous honorees include Kate Riley, editorial page editor of The Seattle Times; Ed Clark, a 10-year member of the WashCOG board; Elly Walker, longtime executive director of WashCOG; Mike Fancher, former executive editor of The Seattle Times and current WashCOG president; attorney Bill Crittenden, a fierce supporter of open government litigants, often pro bono: attorney Michele Earl-Hubbard, who has represented numerous clients in court fights for government transparency, and is the current vice-president of the Coalition; and others who are continuing their service to WashCOG and open government.

The award will be presented at the annual Sunshine Breakfast on March 14, 2025.

Download a nomination form for the James Andersen Award here.