The Michigan Department of State has announced the winners of the first-ever "I Voted" sticker design contest, with creations from enthusiastic participants of all ages. The nine selected designs are set to feature on stickers handed out to voters in the upcoming 2024 Presidential Election, which is intended to offer a fresh visual celebration of civic engagement.
According to an announcement from the Michigan Department of State released today, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson expressed her delight with the community's engagement: "Congratulations to our winners in the state’s first 'I Voted' sticker design contest," she said. The contest attracted more than 480 submissions and, after narrowing down to 25 semifinalists in each category by the Collegiate Student Advisory Taskforce, the public had its say, casting over 57,700 votes to ultimately decide on the winners.
Among the recognized designers are students and residents of Michigan who contributed their artistic insights. The contest showcased designs that ranged from simple and direct messages like Gabby Warner’s "I voted yay" to the more regionally evocative “Ope, I voted” by Breanna Tanner, which adds a contemporary twist on Michigan’s Midwestern heritage, as stated by WOODTV.
Zena Aljilehawi, chairman of the 2024 Collegiate Student Advisory Task Force, highlighted the collaborative spirit of the competition, remarking on the intention behind it: "On behalf of the Collegiate Student Advisory Taskforce, I would like to congratulate the finalists and express our gratitude to all the talented artists who submitted stickers for the competition. We appreciate every submission and hope that the chosen stickers will bring a sense of fun and joy to the people of Michigan as they cast their ballots in November!", as mentioned by Michigan Department of State's news section.
The state is involving Michigan residents to strengthen community and engagement in democracy. Election clerks can order designs for the November elections, so voters can wear badges created by fellow citizens. For more details on voting and elections in Michigan, citizens are encouraged to visit the state’s official website, as mentioned in the contest announcement on the Michigan Department of State's news section.
