Winners announced in Michigan’s ‘I voted’ sticker design contest
By Matt Jaworowski,
2024-09-04
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The Michigan Department of State has announced the winners of its first “I voted” sticker design contest , including two submitted by artists from West Michigan.
There are nine winners in all, three from each category: elementary and middle school students, high school students, and an all-ages bracket.
Rockford’s Gabby Warner was one of the three elementary/middle school winners. A design submitted by Breanna Tanner, from Grand Rapids, was one of the three selected from the all-ages contest.
The “I voted” sticker design submitted by Gabby Warner of Rockford. (Courtesy MDOS)
Warner’s design is simple and gets right to the point. It includes thin red text on a white background that reads, “I voted yay” — no punctuation needed. And who says the lowercase ‘E’ needs to point the right way? Message received.
Tanner leaned into Michigan’s Midwestern roots while bringing the classic sticker into the 21st century. On an oversaturated red and purple background, “Ope, I voted” stands brightly in bold, white letters.
“Congratulations to our winners in the state’s first ‘I voted’ sticker design contest,” Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said in a statement. “I was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and creativity from the people in our great state. Now, let’s use the same energy in casting a vote this November. I encourage every eligible voter to make a plan now to have your voice heard.”
The “I voted” sticker design submitted by Breanna Tanner of Grand Rapids. (Courtesy MDOS)
The contest was first announced in May. The MDOS says more than 480 designs were submitted and more than 57,000 votes were cast online after the finalists were announced in July .
West Michigan had four finalists in the elementary/middle school category. Joining Warner were Haden Burrell from Hesperia, Hailey Hue from Rockford and Mikayla Yeaw from Wyoming.
West Michigan also had four finalists in the high school category: Lucas Barker, Rylee Fraaza and Kaylee Kourakis from Gull Lake High School and Evalyna Mei from East Kentwood High School.
Out of the 22 finalists in the all-ages contest, eight were from West Michigan. Along with Tanner, they were: MaKayla Burns from Rockford, Lydia Ellison from Saranac, Hannah Howery from Grand Rapids, Kerri Neymeier from Howard City, Patrick Rogers from Ada, Janette Scott-Lucas from Kalamazoo and Carissa Smith from Grandville.
The “I voted” sticker design submitted by Jane Hynous of Grosse Pointe. (Courtesy MDOS)
The “I voted” sticker design submitted by Katelyn Stouffer-Hopkins of Lansing. (Courtesy MDOS)
The “I voted” sticker design submitted by Olivia Smiertka of Holly. (Courtesy MDOS)
The “I voted” sticker design submitted by Michelle Lekhtman of West Bloomfield. (Courtesy MDOS)
The “I voted” sticker design submitted by Andrew Brasher of Saint Louis. (Courtesy MDOS)
The “I voted” sticker design submitted by Kelsey Winiarski of Livonia. (Courtesy MDOS)
The “I voted” sticker design submitted by Madelyn VerVaecke of Livonia. (Courtesy MDOS)
All nine sticker designs will be available for election clerks to order to be used in the upcoming November election. Here is a list of all nine winners.
Elementary/Middle School
Jane Hynous, Grosse Pointe
Gabby Warner, Rockford
Katelyn Stouffer-Hopkins, Lansing
High School
Olivia Smiertka, Holly High School
Michelle Lekhtman, West Bloomfield High School
Andrew Brasher, Alma High School
General
Kelsey Winiarski, Livonia
Breanna Tanner, Grand rapids
Madelyn VerVaecke, Livonia
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