Michigan voters will have nine new 'I Voted' sticker designs to choose from in November, created by students and residents statewide. Local clerks can now order the winning designs for distribution on Election Day.
Michigan voters heading to the polls this November will be able to choose from nine new 'I Voted' sticker designs, thanks to a statewide contest that drew thousands of creative entries from students and residents. The Michigan Department of State announced the winning designs for the 2026 general election, highlighting a mix of playful, cultural, and distinctly Michigan themes.
The contest, now in its second cycle, invited submissions from elementary and middle school students, high schoolers, and residents of all ages. This year, more than 2,000 designs were submitted-about four times the number received in the inaugural 2024 contest. Over 53,000 people participated in the public voting phase to select the final winners.
Sticker Designs Reflect Michigan Culture
The nine winning stickers feature a range of creative concepts, including a sleepy cat with the phrase "I voted now let me sleep," a bunny astronaut, a dancing frog princess, and references to Michigan icons such as the Edmund Fitzgerald, the state's blue license plate, orange construction cones, Superman ice cream, a lighthouse, and the Mackinac Bridge. One standout, "No, yeah. I voted" by Maddie Tallman of Woodhaven, incorporates local favorites like euchre, Michigan lefts, and coney dogs.
Winners were selected from three categories: elementary/middle school (grades K-8), high school (grades 9-12), and a general category open to all Michigan residents. The Michigan Collegiate Student Advisory Task Force narrowed the field to 30 semifinalists per category before the public cast votes for their favorites.
Winners by Category
In the elementary and middle school group, Aryana Lintz of Berrien Springs won with her sleepy cat design, Aleymi Perez Ramos of Romulus created the frog princess, and Naia Montgomery of Detroit submitted the bunny astronaut. High school winners included Lenore Coil of Saginaw (license plate), Ahmad Bazzi of Dearborn Heights (lighthouse and bridge), and Keirsten Sturm-Richmond of Remus (Edmund Fitzgerald). The general category winners were Hilarie Williams of Oak Park (construction cones), Maddie Tallman of Woodhaven ("No, yeah. I voted"), and Lisa Damesworth of Redford Charter Township (Superman ice cream).
Local election clerks across Michigan can now order these new stickers to distribute to voters on Election Day. The contest aims to encourage civic participation and give residents of all ages a creative way to engage with the democratic process, according to the Michigan Department of State.
Participation and Community Impact
The sticker contest has quickly become a popular tradition in Michigan elections. In 2024, more than 57,000 residents voted for their favorite designs. This year's contest saw a similar level of engagement, with thousands of entries and tens of thousands of votes cast. The initiative is part of broader efforts to make voting more accessible and engaging for all Michiganders.
For those interested in the broader context of Michigan's election landscape, recent developments have included proposals to change voter ID requirements and citizenship verification. For example, a recent effort to require proof of citizenship for Michigan voters did not secure enough signatures to appear on the November ballot, leaving only two statewide questions for voters this fall, as reported in this coverage of the citizenship proposal outcome.
The sticker contest is organized by the Michigan Department of State with support from the Collegiate Student Advisory Task Force. The program is designed to foster civic pride and highlight the creativity of Michigan's residents, while also making the voting experience more memorable for participants of all ages.
