The Ulster County Board of Elections narrowed 315 submissions to its annual “I Voted” sticker contest to six finalists and is leaving the final decision to the public.
The board and a panel of volunteer judges from the local arts community selected the finalists, several of whom also entered designs in previous years. Voting is open through Aug. 15.
“Creative expression gives young people a voice long before they’re old enough to cast a ballot,” said Bryant Andrews, executive director of the Center for Creative Education and one of the volunteer judges. “Programs like this encourage students to think about their role in their community, celebrate their imagination, and recognize that they already have the power to make an impact.”
The finalists include Gabriel Jorge-Martinez, 10, of Plattekill Elementary School in the Wallkill Central School District, whose design features a Hudson Valley trout surrounded by bubbles.
Elizabeth Blair, 16, of the Kingston Central School District, created a colorful patchwork of shapes and sizes.
Stellan Newman, 14, of Woodstock Day School, drew a honeybee playing the fiddle. Bea Henry, 12, of Mountain Laurel Waldorf School, created a blue, wormlike creature chomping on the words “I Voted,” which is required in every submission.
Alex Bodie, 16, of Rondout Valley High School, depicted a green alien beside an American flag planted on the moon. Amina Miller, 15, also of Rondout Valley High School, placed the Statue of Liberty in front of an American flag.
The board said it included submissions from previous years as a reminder that “persistence, creativity, and continued participation” can pay off.
The Dutchess County Board of Elections is following Ulster County’s lead by launching its own sticker contest this year.
“We couldn’t be more excited to see young people across New York, and increasingly across the United States, engaging with the democratic process through art,” Election Commissioners Ashley Torres and Keri Williams said. “We love seeing this idea take hold in communities everywhere. Just don’t forget; Ulster County is the OG.”
Voting is limited to one ballot per IP address to prevent duplicate votes and automated submissions.
Mia Quick is an editorial assistant at The Overlook. Send correspondence to mia@theoverlooknews.com.
