A better 'I voted' sticker? Dozens of Michigan artists are competing. Here's how you can vote
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LANSING — For the first time, the Michigan Secretary of State is asking for the public's input in choosing the design of the popular "I voted" sticker given to those who cast ballots on Election Day.
Online voting is now open in the inaugural contest pitting 75 potential designs against each other, with the winning design being turned into a sticker for those who cast their ballots on Election Day, Nov. 5.
“Democracy is a team sport and our first ‘I Voted’ sticker contest is a fun way to get people across the state engaged in our elections,” Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said in a release. “I hope that students, parents, educators and community groups all help us spread the word about this opportunity to showcase Michigan’s creativity and civic pride.”
Voting closes on July 31, and winners will be announced in August, Benson's office said in a press release. Municipal clerks will be able to order the new sticker prior to Election Day.
Voting is divided into three categories: 25 elementary and middle school, 25 high school, and 25 general Michigan resident designs. Voters may select three favorites from each category. To choose your favorite "I Voted" sticker designs, click here.
In addition to having their design used for the 2024 election sticker, artists also will receive "special recognition," the Secretary of State's Office said in a release.
The Secretary of State's Office announced the “I Voted” sticker contest in May as a way of increasing voter engagement.
“Every Michigan voter should walk out of the polls with pride, knowing that their voice has been heard. Now, we can share that pride in our democracy with a sticker designed by some of our state’s talented and creative artists,” Benson in a press release.
The contest idea came from the Secretary of State's Collegiate Student Advisory Task Force, which was created in 2019 to empower youth voting and political engagement.
CSATF members are college students helping to connect colleges with the Secretary of State's Office. The group works alongside other nonpartisan groups, such as Campus Vote Project and Fair Elections Center, to reduce barriers preventing student voting.
Group members considered more than 480 contest entries before paring the finalists to 75.
Artists from the Greater Lansing area include:
Elementary entries
Ryan Topham — St. Thomas Aquinas Parish School, East Lansing, whose design features the American flag among birds.
Katelyn Stouffer-Hopkins — Lansing, whose design includes a cartoon character saluting the American flag.
General entries
Christina Castilla — Lansing, whose design includes flowers and fruit around the Capitol building.
Contact Sarah Moore at SMoore@lsj.com
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: The first 'I voted' sticker contest is open for online public voting.
