Michiganders can now vote on a new ‘I Voted’ sticker design for November election
The iconic ‘I Voted’ sticker will be getting a new look this year thanks to an inaugural contest hosted by the Michigan secretary of state.
Whether it’s worn on your clothes or posted to your social media page, showing off an “I Voted” sticker after filling out an election ballot has become a well-known tradition among American voters.
Now, for the first time, Michiganders are getting an opportunity to choose a new “I Voted” sticker design for the state’s presidential election in November.
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is hosting a contest through the month of July in which Michigan residents can vote online to choose the final designs for the stickers that will be available at polling locations this fall.
Benson first announced her department would be seeking submissions for the contest in May during a mock election at Battle Creek Central High School. The Michigan Collegiate Student Advisory Task Force, a group Benson founded in 2019 as a way to increase youth voter engagement, sifted through more than 480 submissions before choosing the 25 semifinalists from each category: elementary/middle school (grades K-8), high school (grades 9-12), and general entry (open to all members of the public).
“Thank you to all of the Michigan students and residents who created a design for our state’s first ‘I Voted’ sticker contest,” Benson said in a statement. “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.”
This year’s election is setting up to be a repeat of the 2020 cycle, with Democratic President Joe Biden facing off against presumptive Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump. Both candidates won their respective primary races in Michigan earlier this year, with over 1.8 million voters having casted ballots. The general election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Michigan residents will be able to choose three designs from each category in the “I Voted” sticker contest. Voting closes at 11:59 p.m. on July 31. Winners will be announced in August and will receive special recognition from Benson.
