'Super' Stief Honored By County Election Office

BRADENTON, FL – When mild-mannered Sharon Stief, chief deputy of the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections office, arrived at work Monday morning after a long election week, little did she know she would soon take up the mantle of Super Stief.

Stief was surprised by her coworkers with a specially made cape with “Super Chief Stief” embroidered on the back to celebrate her 25th anniversary working at the elections office. She also received a glass sculpture award.

“I joked with a co-worker last year on my anniversary that for my 25th, I wanted a red super hero cape with the inside fabric having peace signs,” Stief said. “I never dreamed someone would actually make a customized cape.”

Stief began her career with the Supervisor of Elections office in 1991 as a deputy registrar in the records department. Over the years, she worked in the poll worker department and then as the absentee voter coordinator before rising to chief deputy more than eight years ago.

While she may not be able to travel faster than a speeding bullet or leap tall buildings with a single bound, Stief does fight a never-ending battle for truth and justice during elections in Manatee County.

According to the election office, the chief deputy is one of the most important positions in each of the state’s 67 counties. The chief deputy is relied upon for their accuracy, knowledge of voting equipment, election law, the ability to manage questions from every department, candidates, media and voters along with an immense working knowledge of the election process.

“(Sharon) knows every detail and we rely on her heavily with each election,” said Mike Bennett, the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections. “We greatly value her service and dedication to this office. The voters of Manatee County need to know what a tremendous asset they have in Sharon Stief. She is one of a kind, and our superhero.”

Image via Manatee County Supervisor of Elections office

Sign up for the Bradenton Patch newsletter and alerts!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook, too!