Awards
Maine.gov Receives Best of the Web Honorable Mention (September, 2012)
Maine.gov was named as a finalist by the Center for Digital Government in its annual Best of the Web competition for government web sites. This places Maine.gov as one of the top ten state government web sites in the country. Government web sites are evaluated based on their innovation, web-based delivery of public services, efficiency, economy and functionality. This award marks eleven top-ten placements for Maine.gov in the past twelve years of competition.
Maine is Awarded a Prestigious Digital Government Achievement Award for it's Online Professional Licensing Service (September, 2012)
The Center for Digital Government recognized the State of Maine with a Digital Government Achievement Award in the government-to-business category for the Maine Professional Licensing and Permitting Service. The online service is sponsored by the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation.
Maine.gov Ranked in Top US Government Websites by Design Shack (2012)
Design Shack ranks websites based on the look and feel as well as features such as responsive design in three categories. Maine.gov ranked in the “Cream of the Crop” category recognizing state sites that stood out better than the average site.
My Maine Connection Online Service Wins Best Fit Integrator Award (August, 2012)
The Center for Digital Government honored the My Maine Connection service with a Best Fit Integrator Award for Exceptional Service in Health and Human Services. The online service was developed by InforME (Maine Information Network) in partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services.
State of Maine Recognized for One Stop Background Check Service (September, 2011)
The Center for Digital Government recognized the State of Maine with a Digital Government Achievement Award in the government-to-business category for the One Stop Online Background Check Service. The online service, sponsored by the Department of Public Safety and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, was created to provide a convenient, up-to-date, and official source for Maine online background checks.
Two State of Maine eGovernment Services Receive Best Fit Integrator Awards (August, 2011)
Two successful eGovernment services in the state of Maine -- the Department of Corrections Online Money Deposit Service and the Judicial Branch Electronic Court Fine Payment Services -- were honored with the prestigious Best Fit Integrator Award for Exceptional Service and Modernization in Portals and Online Services from the Center for Digital Government.
Maine.gov Recognized as a Top 10 Public Sector Website by Government Computer News (2011)
Maine.gov was recognized by Government Computer News as one of the top ten public sector sites for 2011. The award, which refers to Maine.gov as "a site for the independent-minded", praises Maine.gov for its transparency of government stimulus funding, its availability of state data through Maine.gov DataShare, and its accessible multi-media gallery.
Sunshine Review Gives Maine.gov a Sunny Award (2011)
The Maine.gov website was awarded a Sunny Award by the Sunshine Review for being one of the most transparent government websites in the country. The Sunny Awards honored less than 1% of the 5,000 government websites analyzed in 2011.
Maine.gov Ranks 4th in Best of the Web Awards (September, 2010)
The Center for Digital Government has, for the second year in a row, recognized Maine.gov as one of the best state government sites in the nation. Maine.gov was ranked fourth in the 2010 Best of the Web Awards for state government Web portals. This marks the tenth year since 2000 that Maine's official web site has been named in the top 4 state government sites by the Center. The competition evaluates portals on the basis of online services, innovative technology, efficiency, and attention to ease-of-use, accessibility to the disabled, privacy and security.
In addition, the Maine Recovery Act (ARRA) Electronic Reporting Solution application received a digital achievement award in the Government-to-Government category, and the Maine TankSmart application received an award in the Government-to-business category.
Maine's KeepMEWell Wins 2010 Best Fit Integrator Award (August, 2010)
The Center for Digital Government awarded Maine's KeepMEWell a Best Fit Integrator Award. KeepMEWell is designed to help Maine residents assess their risk for chronic disease, improve their health through education, and link them to local resources and supports that can help them decrease their risk of chronic disease and improve their health.
Maine.gov Wins Sunny Award for Government Transparency (June, 2010)
Maine.gov was among 41 out of 5,000 government websites to earn an "A" transparency grade. “Sunny Award winners deserve recognition for making information available to citizens and for setting a transparency standard that all governments can, and should, meet,” said Mike Barnhart, President of Sunshine Review. “Access to information empowers every citizen to hold government officials accountable for the conduct of the publics’ business and the spending of taxpayers’ money. Official accountability is the corner stone of self government and liberty.”
Maine.gov Wins Top Government Website Award From Juggle.com (June, 2010)
Maine.gov has been recognized in the government category by Juggle.com as a Top Government Website for Maine's contribution to providing convenience for citizens when performing a variety of government related business. Creating a central online location for many of the errands that Mainers had to run around town for, such as; paying fines, license fees, or permits, to name a few has put Maine's portal a step ahead of other state's government services. Juggle provides factual information on over 300,000 topics and 1,000,000 products.
Maine.gov Ranks 4th in Best of the Web Awards (September, 2009)
The Center for Digital Government has once again recognized Maine.gov as one of the best state government sites in the nation. Maine.gov was ranked fourth in the 2009 Best of the Web Awards for state government Web portals. This marks the ninth year since 2000 that Maine's official web site has been named in the top 4 state government sites by the Center. The competition evaluates portals on the basis of online services, innovative technology, efficiency, and attention to ease-of-use, accessibility to the disabled, privacy and security.
In addition, the Maine.gov DataShare application received a first place award in the Government-to-Citizen State government category.
Maine State Employees Combined Charitable Appeal (MSECCA) Charitable Online Giving wins 2009 Best Fit Integrator award (August 2009)
The awards were the result of public sector IT groups across the nation nominating their partner integrators whose solutions proved exceptional in areas such as cost savings, consolidation and public access. MSECCA is an annual campaign that is overseen by a committee of state employee volunteers, who recognize the importance of helping out their friends and neighbors who are in need of charitable contributions.
This past year the State of Maine made a few enhancements to the service, implementing a complete end-to-end solution that included a new back-end database and a comprehensive administrative site for the campaign administrators and volunteers. The online donation service (interface) will be available to all State of Maine employees and retirees for year round campaign contributions.
Rutgers – SFSU State E-Governance Survey Ranks Maine #1 (July, 2009)
A national survey of state websites has identified Maine as the top-ranked state in the performance of e-governance. The research study was conducted jointly by the E-Governance Institute, School of Public Affairs and Administration at Rutgers University in Newark, and the Department of Public Administration at San Francisco State University (SFSU). The survey evaluated state websites in the areas of privacy, usability, content, service and citizen participation, and ranked the states nationally. Maine’s website ranked first in the categories of service and citizen participation, and was noted as a good example of government effectively engaging citizens online and providing services that increase efficiency and effectiveness.
Maine's Bureau of Human Resources HireME Receives eC3 Honorable Mention (September, 2008)
The National Electronic Commerce Coordinating Council (eC3) has selected Maine's Bureau of Human Resources HireME application as an honorable mention in this years award selection, representing the category of innovative use of the web in government management practices. This service allows citizens to create an account with BHR and submit eligible State job applications online. The service can be accessed through the BHR Open Competitive job listing.
Pew Center Report Puts Maine Elections Website in Top Ten Nationwide (PDF) (August, 2008)
Maine does a great job of making election information both easy to find and easy to use, according to a recent report from the Pew Center on the States. “Helping voters educate themselves is one of our primary functions,” said Secretary of State Mathew Dunlap in response to Maine’s top ten ranking. “We take that job very seriously, and obviously the Pew Center recognizes the effectiveness of our educational efforts. It is our firm belief citizens have a responsibility to participate in our Democracy. By providing them a wealth of election-related information, we’re empowering Mainers to be involved in the electoral process.” The Pew Center report, entitled “Being Online is Not Enough”, considered a number of factors, including accessibility, content, whether or not the online information states provide could be easily used, and whether or not the information was helpful.
Maine.gov Ranks 2nd in Best of the Web (September, 2008)
The Center for Digital Government has once again recognized Maine.gov as one of the best state government sites in the nation. Maine.gov was ranked second in the 2008 Best of the Web national competition for state government Web portals. This marks the eighth year since 2000 that Maine's official web site has been named in the top 4 state government sites by the Center. The competition evaluates portals on the basis of online services, innovative technology, efficiency, and attention to ease-of-use, accessibility to the disabled, privacy and security.
Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles Recognized for New Online Service (September, 2008)
The Center for Digital Government recognized Maine's Bureau of Motor Vehicles' web-based Municipal Data Transfer Service with an Honorable Mention in its 2008 Digital Government Achievement Award competition, in the government-to-government state category.
Maine.gov Praised in Brookings Institute Study (September, 2008)
Maine was rated the sixth best state for eGovernment in the United States, according to the ninth annual survey of eGovernment effectiveness. Previously conducted by Brown University, this year the study was conducted by the Brookings Institute.
Maine.gov Awarded 2nd Place in Best of the Web (September, 2007)
For the seventh year, the Center for Digital Government has named Maine.gov one of the best state government sites in the nation. Maine.gov was ranked second in the 2007 Best of the Web national competition for state government Web portals. The competition evaluates portals on the basis of online services, innovative technology, efficiency, and attention to ease-of-use, accessibility to the disabled, privacy and security.
Maine Ranked 3rd by Brown University in Annual Study (September, 2007)
Maine was rated the third best state for eGovernment in the United States, according to the eighth annual survey of eGovernment effectiveness conducted by Brown University’s Taubman Center for Public Policy and American Institutions. The study praised Maine’s site for its easy navigation, thoughtful prioritization of information and customizability. In three instances since 2004, Maine has been ranked among the top three states by the Brown University eGovernment survey. According to the Brown University report, the Maine.gov portal "is designed to allow people to get to the information they are looking for as quickly as possible." The report also praised Maine for having links to online services and language translation on nearly all of its websites.
Maine.gov Awarded 2nd Place in Best of the Web (September, 2006)
Maine.gov has again been named one of the best state government sites in the nation. Maine.gov was ranked second in the 2006 Center for Digital Government Best of the Web national competition for government Web site excellence. Since the Best of the Web competition began in 1996, Maine has received six top-three placements, making Maine.gov the most consistently honored Web portal in the country.
Bureau of Motor Vehicles Online Services Win Digital Achievement Award (September, 2006)
The Center for Digital Government recognized Maine's suite of online motor vehicle services with a 2006 Digital Government Achievement Award in the government-to-citizen state category.
Maine Online Genealogy Resources Recognized (September, 2006)
Maine State Archives and the Information Resources of Maine (InforME) have received national recognition for the online delivery of genealogical resources. In the August, 2006 edition of Family Tree Magazine, the state's genealogy web site (http://www.maine.gov/portal/facts_history/genealogy.html) was ranked among the nation's very best.
Maine State Police Service Wins eGov Pioneer Award (June 2006)
The online crash report service provided by the Maine State Police, in partnership with InforME, has been awarded a Government Solutions Center Pioneer Award for 2006. This award recognizes public sector organizations for their efforts to deliver results-oriented government services during the prior year. The crash report service allows the public to search crash data and order official crash reports online. Crash reports are delivered electronically, typically within 24 hours of the order placement. Maine competed with nominated services from across the country at the state, federal, and local levels of government.
Maine Ranked 2nd by Brown University in Annual Study (September, 2005)
Maine ranked second best in the nation for e-government websites for the second year in a row, in an annual research study conducted by Brown University. The study evaluates state government portals and a sampling of state agency websites (an average of 31 sites per state) on a variety of specific criteria including online services, disability access, privacy and security, readability, quality control, and communication with citizens. Maine.gov was praised for having a user-friendly portal with many opportunities for citizens to interact with government online. The report cited Maine.gov as "an optimal example of how a multitude of content can be arranged well with a pleasing design."
Governor Accepts Best of the Web Award (January, 2005)
The Center for Digital Government presented the first place award in its annual Best of the Web competition to Governor Baldacci at an eGovernment event held in Augusta on January 27. Maine.gov was rated the best state government portal in the country for 2004.
View the photos from the award presentation and event.
Secretary of State Wins Award for Online Services (October, 2004)
The Secretary of State's SOSonline.org website was chosen as one of ten winners by a panel of editors from Government Computer News (GCN) and Washington Technology for innovate IT accomplishments.
Maine Ranked 2nd by Brown University in Annual Study (September, 2004)
Maine's state government websites were ranked second best in the nation in an annual research study conducted by Brown University, jumping from 25th place in 2003. The study evaluates state portals and a sampling of state agency websites (an average of 31 sites per state) on a variety of specific criteria including online services, disability access, privacy and security, readability, quality control, and communication with citizens. Maine.gov was praised for having a user-oriented portal with excellent online services, Live Help, FAQs, news and weather. The report concluded, "Maine's site was uncluttered, informative, and easy to use."
Maine.gov Wins First Place in "Best of the Web" Competition (September, 2004)
Maine.gov was named the nation's best state government Web portal this year, after placing in the top four for the past four years in a row. The annual Best of the Web competition by the Center for Digital Government evaluates government websites for their innovation, use of online technology to deliver government services, efficiency, economy, and ease of use. Maine was followed by Indiana, Virginia, Delaware, and Arizona in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th rankings, respectively.
Secretary of State Site Wins 5th Place in Best of the Web Competition (September, 2004)
Maine's Secretary of State website was awarded 5th Place in the "government-to-business" category of the 2004 Best of the Web competition by the Center for Digital Government.
Maine Ranks 13th in Digital State Survey (July, 2004)
The Center for Digital Government announced the Top 25 states according to its Digital State Survey, including Maine at number 13. The survey is a comprehensive study on best practices and policies by state governments in their use of digital technologies, evaluating over 60 criteria in the areas of service delivery, architecture and infrastructure, collaboration, and leadership. Maine was ranked 16th in the 2002 survey.
Maine Secretary of State's Website One of the Best (October, 2003)
Secretary of State Dan Gwadosky's website (www.maine.gov/sos/) received a number three ranking in the Constitutional Officer category of this year's Best of the Web competition by the national Center for Digital Government.
Maine.gov Wins 2nd Place in "Best of the Web" Competition (October, 2003)
For the fourth consecutive year, Maine's state government web portal, Maine.gov, has been recognized as one of the best in the nation. This year Maine's portal was ranked #2 by the Center for Digital Government in the annual Best of the Web competition, behind Utah. Indiana, Washington, and Arkansas were ranked third, fourth, and fifth, respectively. The sites were judged for their innovation, use of online technology to deliver government services, efficiency, economy, ease of use, and citizen/community participation.
Maine State Websites Recognized for Readability, Accessibility, and Online Services (September, 2003)
Maine state government websites were ranked third for "readability," fifth for accessibility for the disabled, and fifth for providing online services to the public, in an annual Brown University study of state government websites. The study evaluated a sampling of over 30 websites for each state. "Readability" measured the average reading level of the content on websites; Maine was praised for making government information more available to average citizens. The study also listed Maine's privacy policy among the "highest quality" in the country.
Maine.gov Home Page Ranked #5 on "Load and Scroll Index" (July, 2003)
In an evaluation of state government home pages by the Center for Digital Government, Maine received praise for a fast-loading home page that doesn't require the user to scroll vertically. Maine tied for the number five ranking with Georgia and New York. Long scrolling pages and slow load time were cited as markers of poor portal health.
Maine Service Wins EGov 2003 Pioneer Award (May, 2003)
Maine's UCC Total Solution service was recognized as one of 30 exemplary electronic government applications from around the world by EGov and Federal Computer Week. UCC Total Solution was created through a partnership of the Bureau of Corporations, Elections, and Commissions and InforME. The service allows businesses to complete all UCC transactions with the state electronically, including searching and filing UCCs, a debtor name index, and document authentication service. Maine presented the service at the 2003 EGov conference in June.
Maine Website Ranked #2 in "Best of the Web" (September, 2002)
The Center for Digital Government rated Maine's portal second behind only Virginia in their annual Best of the Web contest for 2002. Washington and Pennsylvania tied for third place. Maine's submission was rated against hundreds of other state websites across the country. The sites were judged for their innovation, use of online technology to deliver government services, efficiency, economy, ease of use, and citizen/community participation. Maine has climbed the rankings over the last three years, receiving third place in 2001 and an honorable mention in 2000.
Maine.gov Named Site of the Month (July, 2002)
The newly redesigned Maine website was named Site of the Month by GovSpot.com. The editors praised Maine.gov's online services and declared, "The user-friendly site has a standard design that makes it easy to find information with just a quick click of a mouse." Each month, GovSpot.com recognizes an outstanding local or state government site as Site of the Month. GovSpot.com is a non-partisan government information portal.
Maine Ranks 3rd in Delivering E-Services (January, 2002)
A January 2002 study by the PricewaterhouseCoopers Endowment for The Business of Government rated Maine's Web Portal 3rd behind California and North Dakota in delivering e-service. The study focused on openness, customization, usability and transparency. "Top states provide online access to services, contact information for key agencies, and have developed portals that are usable by most constituents of the state." The reported noted that states should emphasize customer service and organize the portal around events rather than departments.
Maine Website Ranked #3 in "Best of the Web" Competition (September, 2001)
The Center for Digital Government rated Maine's portal third behind California and Pennsylvania in their annual Best of the Web contest. Perennial winner's Virginia and the State of Washington followed Maine. Maine's submission was rated against a total of 396 state and local government entries. The sites were judged for their innovation, use of online technology to deliver government services, efficiency, economy and ease of access. Last year Maine received honorable mention but improvements to the site allowed us to leapfrog several states to win this prestigious award. The Governor held a press conference on September 6th to tout this significant achievement.
Brown University Study Rates Maine #1 in Website Accessibility (September, 2001)
The State and Federal E-Government in the United States, 2001 study by Brown University rated Maine's state web sites first in accessibility. Quoting from the report, "When looking at disability access by individual states, it is clear there is tremendous variation in the percentage of each state's sites that are accessible. The states doing the best job on disability access are Maine (60 percent of their sites are accessible), Illinois (58%), Minnesota (54%), the U.S. Federal Government (53%), and Connecticut (48%)."
