Chicago's latest batch of "I voted!" stickers are hitting the hands of Chicagoans as they participate in the democratic process, featuring a stylish new design from a seasoned local artist. Early voters in Tuesday's Illinois primary encountered the fresh look splashed across the apple-sized badge—one that spotlights a ballot box against a navy backdrop, punctuated by the four iconic red stars of the city's flag. As reported by the Chicago Tribune, these stickers are parceled out post-voting ritual like tokens of civic duty and tucked into mail-in vote packets citywide.
The creative mind behind the impactful insignia, Jane Ignacio, boasts over two decades of crafting visuals for the Chicago Board of Elections, with a portfolio stretching from online graphics to printed manuals. According to her, visiting the polls on Election Day is akin to experiencing "my Super Bowl." The DePaul University alumna has been weaving her interest in politics through her designs, culminating in this latest project—part luck, part long-term partnership with the city elections board.
Yet, this is not the first attempt to physically manifest the pride of participation. In 2016, election officials once had to quickly innovate, considering alternatives to stickers marring public surfaces. The result was "I voted!" wristbands, an Instagram-friendly answer to the demand for a tangible signifier of having voted. But the bracelets, as Ignacio recounted to the Chicago Tribune, became clumsy and impractical as mail-in voting surged during the pandemic.
Meanwhile, over in Lake County, officials are aiming to spark an early interest in democracy among youths with a creative competition. The county has issued a call to Kindergarten through 12th grade students to design the next "I voted" sticker, as reported by CBS Chicago. The contest, divided into three age brackets, not only offers kids the chance to visibly contribute to the electoral process but also to win a $125 gift card. Submissions have to roll in before the end of November, with the potential to later be proudly worn by local voters.
The new Chicago sticker, stocked in the millions, is more than an accessory—it's deemed a visual shout-out to collective action. Max Bever, director of public information for the Chicago Board of Elections, told the Chicago Tribune that, aiming for inclusion and nonpartisanship, the board settled on city flag symbols over national emblems, so "nobody feels excluded." Voter reactions have alternated between casual admiration and slight critique, proving that while you can't please everyone, the simple act of displaying an "I voted!" sticker still holds a certain charm and influence over the electorate.
