Maricopa County voters could be sticking a piece of local pride to their lapels come this election season, thanks a new "I Voted" sticker contest announced by County Recorder Stephen Richer. Richer's call to action encourages Maricopa residents to exercise their artistic muscles while emphasizing the importance of civic engagement. "This contest is an opportunity to get residents engaged in the election process," Richer shared in a news release obtained by 12 News. Adults and youngsters alike are invited to submit their designs, with a pizza party on the line for the winning young artist, alongside countywide recognition of their creative work.
But, the artistic electoral wave isn't just sweeping through Maricopa. El Paso County is also hosting it's own sticker showdown, specifically targeting the high school demographic. Lisa Wise, the Elections Administrator, is brimming with excitement over the initiative meant to draw younger folks into the fold of democracy. "The El Paso County Elections Department is excited to extend this contest to El Paso County High School students and continue to encourage youth involvement in the electoral process," explained Wise, according to the El Paso County Elections Department.
In Maricopa, there are two separate skirmishes in the creative ring: one for the 17-and-under crowd enrolled in county's schools, challenging them to capture the spirit of their community, and another for adult registered voters, asking them to express why their vote counts. The contest will crown ten finalists from each bracket, with public voting to commence in late March, according to details from the Maricopa County Recorder's website.
The El Paso contest, meanwhile, is marching to the beat of a different drummer by strictly focusing on high schoolers' renditions of civic pride. A panel of local honchos will pick out the top three, wielding criteria such as artistic skill, attention to the theme, and originality. Contestants are tasked with submitting their designs following the specific guidelines and templates provided on the El Paso Elections Department's website by late October. One lucky teen's design will earn the right to be plastered on the garments of voters throughout the 2024 elections season.
With deadlines approaching, both contests are asking for participants to submit their designs soon - March 15 for Maricopa's hopefuls, and October 31 for El Paso's aspiring artists. Those interested in participating in either county's contest should dust off their sketch pads, because these stickers might just be the small canvases that could help stick the importance of voting to the forefront of the public consciousness.
