Winning 'I Voted' sticker to include familiar Fayetteville and Cumberland County symbol

When Cumberland County voters go to the polls starting in October they will receive an “I Voted” sticker with a distinctly local flavor.

The button-shaped design will feature dogwood flowers — a strong nod to the city of Fayetteville’s relationship with that particular flora — on a background of light blue, with the words “I VOTED” ringing the border.

Kyariaha Maxwell, a sophomore at Cumberland County Virtual Academy, created the sticker, which won a contest among students that was decided by online voting and a judge’s panel comprising members of the Cumberland County Board of Elections and Elections Director Angie Amaro.

In Cumberland County: You can help pick the next ‘I Voted’ sticker, designed by a student | Pitts

Amaro, board members and members of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners recognized Maxwell at a June 17 meeting of the commissioners. McKensie Flinn, a sophomore at Cumberland Academy, won second place with her design. Bethel Agbongiague, a freshman at the School of Brilliant Minds, placed third.

“I Voted” stickers are typically distributed to voters after they cast in-person ballots. Cumberland County is one of many elections boards across the state and nation that suspended the popular practice during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amaro said the new sticker is the first locally designed effort. She said 300,000 had been ordered, and the stickers would be available during early voting, which starts Oct. 17, and Election Day on Nov. 5.

Cumberland elections board seeks students to work at polls

When it comes to elections, student power doesn’t end with the sticker design. The elections board is also seeking students, 17 and up, to help out as student election assistants on Election Day, which this year is Nov. 5.

The students would receive the same training and pay as other precinct workers, Irene Grimes, an elections board member, said at the June 17 Board of Commissioners meeting.

She said, “154 young people can work on Election Day, make a contribution to their community and earn some cash on the side, too.”

Cumberland short on precinct workers for November

Of course, the same opportunity is there for adult workers. The county elections team needs people to help out at its nearly 80 voting locations.

Amaro described the situation as "pretty good," saying the office was short about 150 workers of 770 needed.

The benefits of the seasonal jobs include earning extra cash; meeting your neighbors; making new friends; learning about elections; fulfilling a civic duty; and building your resume, according to information at the Board of Elections website.

Precinct workers are expected to arrive at their polling place on Election Day before polls open at 6:30 a.m. and to remain after polls close at 7:30 p.m. and all work is complete.

They also set up the polling place, with signage, supplies and voting equipment; help voters with equipment; do data entry for voter lookup and related; and help curbside voters needing assistance.

Pay for precinct workers depends on role, duties

Election day stipends are $210 for a chief judge, who runs the precinct, and $25 for supply pick up and return; $165 for a judge; and $130 for an assistant. Each position also receives $25 for the training.

Liz Testa-Vasser is set to serve as chief judge at Cross Creek No. 6 precinct. She has served for 15 years, first as a precinct worker and then chief judge.

"I really enjoy seeing my neighbors year after year, and being part of the bigger process," she said.

Opinion Editor Myron B. Pitts can be reached at mpitts@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3559.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Winning 'I Voted' sticker to include familiar Fayetteville and Cumberland County symbol