‘I Voted’ Contest Engages Youngsters In Democracy

HARWICH – Town Clerk Emily Mitchell will be sprucing up the “I Voted” stickers given to residents casting ballots in elections. She is holding a sticker design contest for youngsters from ages 5 to 18. Winners in four age categories will have their sticker printed, featured on the town website, and distributed to voters.

 “First and foremost, I’m excited to get our younger citizens involved in the election process,” said Mitchell. “This is an entry point for the younger ones. The 18-year-olds can get involved in another capacity — voting.”

Mitchell said her office has been handing out generic “I Voted” stickers during her time as town clerk. Many towns throughout the state provide the stickers to voters. She said getting the stickers is often the most exciting part of the day for voters.

 “It’s a celebration of participation in democracy,” Mitchell said. ”People are excited about these stickers.” People wear them on their clothing and place them on their phone covers, water bottles and laptops. Mitchell said she’s seen people with faded stickers that have been around for a long time. 

Participants in the contest have to be Harwich residents. There is a specific design form that must be used. Participants under 18 must have a consent form signed by a parent or legal guardian. The design entry form can be obtained at several locations in town. Crayons, colored pencils and markers will be provided to design the sticker.

Locations include the Brooks Free Library children’s area, the 204 Cultural Arts Municipal Building, Albro House, the community center, the recreation department after-school program and the town clerk’s office. Entrants can also access a form online and create the design at home. Forms and additional information can be obtained at www.harwich-ma.gov/1465/I-Voted-Sticker-Contest. 

 “I Voted” must be prominently featured in the design. Designs must be non-partisan and should not refer to any political groups, slogans or issues. All designs must be original work, hand drawn on the provided entry form. Each entrant may submit only one design. The designs will be resized to fit a two-inch diameter sticker.

 Town staff will review the submissions and three finalists will be chosen in each category. Those designs will be printed on a ballot and residents can vote by ballot or on the town website.

 “The young people who did the designs can vote,” said Mitchell. “It may be their first voting experience.” 

The timeline for the design period is Feb. 2 to 27. Voting will open on March 6 and close March 31. The four category winners will be announced on April 6. 

There is a drop-in design event scheduled at the community center on Feb. 18 from 9 a.m. to noon. 

Mitchell said she is aware of a couple of other towns, including Sandwich and Middleborough, that have done voting sticker design contests to get youngsters involved in the voting experience. 

The new “I Voted” stickers will be available at the 2026 annual town election, said Mitchell. Voters casting ballots will have the option to choose from among the four winning designs.