Mesa County Elections has earned national honors for a unique initiative that got young people excited about voting — and it all started with a sticker.
The county’s “I Voted” Sticker Contest, which invited students from across Western Colorado to design voting stickers, has been named one of 53 winners in the U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s 2024 Clearinghouse Awards. Also known as the “Clearie Awards,” the annual program highlights innovation and best practices in election administration across the country.
A First-Time Entry Turns Into a Big Win
This was Mesa County’s first time entering the prestigious awards program, and Clerk and Recorder Bobbie Gross said the success of the sticker contest made it an ideal submission.
“We submitted for our ‘I Voted’ Sticker Contest because it was such a big success,” Gross explained. “We were thankful that we were selected.”
The Clearie Awards celebrate election officials who go beyond the expected to increase civic engagement and voter confidence. Mesa County’s approach — tapping into youth creativity and community involvement — stood out as an example of accessible, grassroots innovation.
Civic Engagement Through Art
The sticker contest invited middle and high school students to design their own “I Voted” sticker — a now-iconic badge of civic pride. The goal was to encourage future voters to participate in democracy well before they’re eligible to cast a ballot.
Gross praised her elections team for the extra effort they put into reaching out to teachers, school districts, and classrooms across the region.
“They worked very hard on that community engagement,” she said. “Reaching out to the school district to engage our young residents and future voters to participate in civic creativity.”
The winning designs were not only printed and distributed to voters but also displayed across Mesa County — turning local art into a visible celebration of democracy.
Looking Ahead: Bigger Goals and Broader Impact
While this win is a milestone, Gross says the Elections Division is far from resting on its laurels.
“If there are awards out there, we’ll definitely submit for them,” she said. “But we’re really working toward making our processes great — that people are engaged in elections and that they feel their vote is counted.”
Mesa County Elections is already looking at expanding the sticker contest to include college students, continuing to build on its mission to involve citizens at every age.
The recognition comes at a time when election officials across the U.S. are working to restore public trust and enthusiasm for the voting process. Mesa County’s grassroots approach — fun, inclusive, and educational — offers a promising blueprint for others to follow.
