CONCORD, N.H. — This year’s “I Voted” stickers are generating considerable excitement with their innovative designs, from stunning visuals to playful, slightly spooky images, such as an angry werewolf. But have you ever taken a moment to consider the importance of the back of these Election Day mementos?
“Using garment-safe adhesive is essential,” noted Janet Boudreau, a designer familiar with tailoring stickers for fabric. “Without it, you could easily damage materials like leather, silk, or fine wool.”
Boudreau is well-acquainted with the evolution of these stickers, having designed the traditional oval that depicts a waving red, white, and blue American flag—a design that has been a pillar at polling stations for many years. Despite now facing competition from various other designs, she encourages the influx of creativity, especially designs made by children participating across the nation. “I fully support this trend,” she remarked. “It’s wonderful to see young people engaged in voting and appreciating its significance.”
Two years ago, a New York county’s voting stickers featuring a uniquely imaginative crab created by a 14-year-old gained viral popularity. This year, among nine different designs released in Michigan, a standout choice features a werewolf dramatically tearing its shirt before an American flag. The 12-year-old artist who created this appealing design declined the chance for an interview, but countless other young creatives shared their fulfilling experiences.
In Milton, New Hampshire, a 10-year-old girl named Grace felt like a star when she visited polling stations for both the presidential primary and town elections. “You could definitely feel a change in the atmosphere; everyone appeared more thrilled to vote because of the awesome sticker I designed,” she stated. “I genuinely believe I influenced how people felt about voting.”
With over 1,000 submissions in New Hampshire’s sticker design contest open to fourth graders, Grace produced a design symbolizing the state’s nostalgic Old Man of the Mountain and was later celebrated with a pizza party at the Statehouse. She even formed a pen-pal relationship with one of the two other winners.
Meanwhile, 11-year-old Rilynn took a different approach and created three sticker options for her family to vote on. The winner turned out to be a striking image of a moose on a ledge overlooking vibrant autumn scenery and the tallest peak in the state. Like her peer, Rilynn felt the thrill of her art in action at the polls. “There was such a large stack of stickers, and people were genuinely picking mine out. When my dad arrived, he couldn’t even grab one!” she exclaimed.
The creativity of stickers is not limited to children alone. In Denver, incarcerated individuals produced two sticker designs, one incorporating the Colorado flag along with imagery of a brick building, sunshine, and purple mountains forming the word “voted.” This initiative aimed to enhance civic engagement and foster community spirit.
In King County, Washington, a graphic designer created a sticker displaying both the lively Seattle skyline and the tranquil countryside below. Meanwhile, a contest for adults and college students in San Francisco resulted in an eye-catching illustration by Hollis Callas, featuring elements like flowers, birds, a seal, the Golden Gate Bridge, alongside “I voted” in various languages.
“I absolutely adore the designs,” shared Allison Tichenor after selecting a sticker during her recent visit to the polls. “They capture the beauty of the city.” Many individuals express their enjoyment in wearing these stickers as a way to encourage others to participate in the electoral process.
“I believe these are significant because you never know who they might motivate to vote,” said Deanna Long, a resident of Raleigh, North Carolina, who showcased a whimsical sticker depicting a child riding a unicorn with a purple mane at a recent Kamala Harris rally. “The fun designs, largely created by children reliant on adults for their voices, might boost awareness about the importance of voting.”
In 2019, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission initiated a national contest focused on identifying creative sticker designs as a part of efforts to celebrate best practices in election oversight. Noteworthy winners include those from Santa Fe County, New Mexico, where the contest particularly highlighted stickers for “Future Voter” and “First Time Voter.”
“Running elections poses numerous challenges, and these ‘I voted’ sticker contests serve as a delightful means to foster community involvement while infusing a dash of creativity and enjoyment,” stated Benjamin Hovland, the chair of the nonpartisan federal commission overseeing these initiatives.
Jason Wickersty made headlines in 2020 with an unconventional sticker crafted from pork roll, a favorite processed meat in New Jersey, commonly referred to as Taylor ham. He shared his creative endeavor on social media, and explained in a recent email, “Jersey folks are fiercely devoted to our state, and since they don’t offer official ‘I Voted’ slices of pork roll, I decided to use an X-acto knife on a piece and produce my own unique ‘I Voted’ badge.”
While Boudreau was once labeled a “Betsy Ross” of “I Voted” stickers, she didn’t originate this concept but became a significant figure in its popularization. By the year 2000, her election supply company, established shortly after she sketched her first design at her kitchen table, was selling in excess of 100 million stickers during election years before she sold the company in 2015. Efforts to get current sales figures went unanswered.
Initially, the stickers were a strategy to diversify product offerings and attract new business, according to Boudreau, who reminisces about her young son placing the colorful stickers on black-and-white advertisements aimed at potential clients. “These stickers brought joy to people,” she reflected. “They opened new doors for us and brightened voters’ spirits.”