Rice County Property Tax & Elections Director Denise Anderson has been honored for her work in elections.
Anderson, who has been with Rice County since 2019, is one of 10 individuals from six Minnesota counties who recently received the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Excellence in Election award. Created in 2025, the award recognizes individual election workers and teams for their outstanding service to the state.
Anderson, whose job it is to administer elections in Rice County and to ensure they comply with state statute, was nominated by McLeod County Auditor/Treasurer Connie Kurtzweg.
In her nomination, Kurtzweg wrote that Anderson “exemplifies the superiority needed with all aspects of elections within her county and the state. She is progressive, forward thinking, detailed, helpful to others and a true leader to her Rice County team and us.
“… Denise has led and supported her team, risen to the top and they stand together as a shining example to all of us as elections excellence.”
Charlie Peters, chair of the Rice County Board of Commissioners, acknowledged Anderson’s award, saying, “We are proud of the work that our Elections department does under the leadership of Denise. She ensures that our election judges and staff are well trained, supports our local townships and cities with administration of their elections and is forward thinking, ensuring elections across Rice County are administered in a free, fair and secure manner. We feel very fortunate that she is a part of our Rice County leadership team.”
Anderson expressed her appreciation for the award, which wasn’t announced beforehand.
“It is always nice when you are honored by your peers,” said Anderson. “I am truly humbled by the recognition and share this award with my Rice County team members as elections are always ‘all hands-on deck.’”
A Wabasha native, Anderson has a degree in accounting from Winona State University. She began her career in local government in 1995 in Wabasha County where she was elected auditor-treasurer three times.
