Announcement of “I Voted” Sticker Design Contest Winners by Michigan Secretary of State
Lansing, Michigan – The state’s first-ever design contest for “I Voted” stickers has finally declared its winners. The Michigan Secretary of State made the announcement on Wednesday, revealing the winning designs that are set to be distributed to voters during the 2024 Presidential Election.
The design competition, which was first announced in May, proved to be incredibly popular. Over 480 designs were submitted from eager individuals across various age groups. Each design underwent a rigorous voting process, with more than 57,000 votes cast to determine the winners.
Winners across Different Categories
The contest split entries across three distinct categories elementary/middle school (grades K-8), high school (grades 9-12), and a general entry category for all ages. The state was pleased to announce a winner for each category, all of whom showed immense creativity and civic pride in their designs.
Elementary / Middle School Winners
Among the winners in the elementary/middle school category were Jane Hynous, a student at Brownell Middle School in Grosse Pointe; Gabby Warner of Rockford; and Katelyn Stouffer-Hopkins of Lansing.
High School Winners
In the high school category, the winners included Olivia Smiertka, a student at Holly High School in Holly; Michelle Lekhtman, a student at West Bloomfield High School in West Bloomfield; and Andrew Brasher, a student at Alma High School in Saint Louis.
General Entry Winners
In the general entry category, the winners were Kelsey Winiarski of Livonia, Breanna Tanner of Grand Rapids, and Madelyn VerVaecke of Livonia.
A Display of Creativity and Civic Pride
Participants put their creativity to the test to bring the culture, vibrancy, and civic pride of Michigan to life in their designs. While the designs varied in color schemes and composition, all of them perfectly encapsulated the essence of democracy and the honor of exercising one’s voting right.
The state hopes that these new stickers will not only encourage more voters to partake in the upcoming Presidential Election but will also be a badge of pride to be worn on Election Day, reminding others of their duty to vote.
The winning designs will be available for clerks to order in due course, ensuring they reach voters in time for the 2024 Presidential Election.
A Step towards Inclusive Engagement
This innovative contest represents a proactive strategy by the Secretary of State’s office to foster civic engagement and promote the importance of voting among all citizens, regardless of age. The wide participation underscores the great enthusiasm people across all age groups have for exercising their democratic rights and their artistic skills.
The Secretary of State’s office continues its commitment to fostering an inclusive voting environment for all Michigan residents and hopes that initiatives like this contest will encourage more citizens to cast their votes in the future.
