Mesa County Elections Office in Grand Junction, Colorado, wraps up submissions for the 2026 I Voted sticker contest on Friday, October 31, 2025. This fun event lets kids in grades one through twelve create designs that will appear on voting stickers and online graphics for next years elections.
The contest sparks creativity among young residents and boosts civic pride in the community. Organizers say it helps get families talking about voting as the November 4, 2025, coordinated election approaches.
Contest Details and Rules
Young artists from Mesa County schools have until the end of this week to submit their work. The goal is to design a logo that fits on two inch round stickers. These stickers go to voters after they cast ballots, and the winning idea also shows up in digital promotions.
To join, kids must live in the county and attend grades one to twelve. Each child can send in just one entry. Parents or teachers often help with the process, but the ideas come straight from the students.
Here are the key rules for the contest:
- Designs must be original and not copy existing images.
- Use colors that print well on white stickers.
- Keep the phrase I Voted clear and bold.
- Submit on standard paper, no bigger than eight and a half by eleven inches.
- Include the artists name, grade, school, and contact info on the back.
Staff from the elections office review all entries after the deadline. They pick top picks from elementary, middle, and high school groups. Then, the public votes online to choose the overall winner.
How the Selection Process Works
Once submissions close, the team sorts through hundreds of ideas. They look for creativity, clarity, and ties to voting themes like democracy or community. Finalists get posted on the county website for everyone to see.
Voting opens soon after and runs for about a week. People in Mesa County can pick their favorites from the short list. This step makes the contest feel like a real election, teaching kids about public input.
The big reveal happens in January 2026. The winner gets a prize, often a certificate and recognition at a school event. Their design prints on thousands of stickers for the 2026 primary and general elections.
Past Winners and Their Impact
This marks the third year for the contest, which started in 2024. It quickly became a hit, drawing entries from schools across the county. Last years designs helped boost voter turnout by making polling places more lively.
In 2025, winners came from different grade levels. For example, an elementary student drew a colorful ballot box with stars, while a high schooler added mountains to show Colorados landscape. These stickers not only excited voters but also won a national award from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.
| Year | Elementary Winner | Middle School Winner | High School Winner | Key Theme |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Colorful flag with vote hand | Eagle holding ballot | Community hands together | Civic pride |
| 2025 | Smiling face on ballot box | Mountains with checkmark | Liberty bell ringing | Democracy fun |
| 2026 | To be announced | To be announced | To be announced | Upcoming reveal |
The table above shows how themes evolve each year. Organizers note that past contests engaged over five hundred students. This years event ties into recent local news, like the opening of voting centers for the November election, where early birds can grab sample stickers.
Experts say programs like this build long term interest in elections. With youth voter registration up ten percent statewide in 2025, these efforts matter. They also link to broader trends, such as schools adding civics classes after the 2024 national vote.
Why This Contest Boosts Community Spirit
Beyond the art, the I Voted sticker contest connects kids to real world events. As Mesa County gears up for the 2026 midterms, young designers learn about the importance of participation. Parents report that it sparks family chats about registering to vote or volunteering at polls.
Local schools promote it through art classes and assemblies. This years push includes ties to upcoming holidays, encouraging submissions before Halloween. The result? A stronger sense of belonging in a county of about one hundred fifty thousand people.
One recent example comes from a middle school group that held a mini vote on designs before submitting. Such activities mirror the contests public voting phase and teach fair play. Overall, it turns abstract ideas like democracy into something tangible and fun.
The contest also highlights Colorados push for youth involvement. Statewide, similar programs in Denver and Boulder saw designs used in big elections. In Mesa County, it aligns with efforts to make voting accessible, especially after record early voting in 2024.
If you know a young artist in Mesa County, remind them to submit before time runs out. Share your thoughts on past stickers in the comments below, and spread the word to boost participation.
