On January 21, Bill Seitz was recognized by the Ohio Association of Electoral Officials (OAEO) as its 2009 Republican Legislator of the Year, receiving the Robert Hughes Memorial Award, at OAEO's Annual Conference in Columbus.  This was for his work on Senate Bill 8, an election reform bill that has passed the Ohio Senate.  He was named the Legislator of the Year by the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association for his support for their issues.