‘I Voted’ Sticker: 5 Facts About Civic Duty’s Most Iconic Symbol

Besides having a say in your local, state and federal government representatives, one of the most popular aspects of going to vote is receiving an “I Voted” sticker.

Let’s be frank: If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’ve taken a selfie proudly showing off proof you voted. (This author is certainly guilty of doing so on multiple occasions.) But you should be proud to show off your sticker! Not only are you exercising your civic duty, but you’re also in possession of a true American icon

As Election Day/Sticker Day draws near, here are five fun facts about the “I Voted” sticker.

• They first gained popularity in the 1980s, but…

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  It's unclear who was the first to start giving out "I Voted" stickers. Per a report from 'Bustle', "Though the Phoenix Realtors Association (PRA) claims to have dreamed up an "I Voted Today" sticker in 1985, a 'Miami Herald' article published in 1982 says Fort Lauderdale businesses gave a discount to customers donning an "I Voted" sticker, according to TIME magazine."

• Who designed the classic oval sticker?

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  According to 'Time,' "Janet Boudreau, who used to run the election-supply company Intab, designed a version with an American flag blowing in the wind in 1987. She was shocked by how many people didn’t realize it was Election Day, and wanted to do something to help."

• Chicago’s Version of the “I Voted” sticker

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  The Windy City does things a little differently. Since 2016, instead of "I Voted" stickers, Chicagoans receive "I Voted" wristbands. 'The Chicago Sun-Times' said the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners opted for the wristbands after complaints of stickers being stuck to walls of polling places. However, due to the pandemic and to reduce person-to-person contact, Chicagoans voting in person will receive stickers this election.
• How much do they cost to produce?

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  A 'Mic' article from 2012 said it costs 15 cents to produce a single "I Voted" sticker. "Though it's unclear exactly how many stickers governments around the country did purchase, it is worth noting that ensuring that one of these stickers would be available to each of the United States's 230 million voters would cost over $34 million. With these stickers available all over the country, there is little doubt that the government spent millions for adults to wear stickers," notes the author. Clearly, the author lacks any sense of whimsy!

• They can sometimes get you free stuff (even though it might be illegal)

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  Some businesses offer free goods/services if you show your "I Voted" sticker. During the 2018 midterm elections, 'The New York Times' shared a list of businesses with "I Voted" sticker promotions. They included Uber and Lyft, who were offering free rides to polling stations, and Shake Shack, who were offering free crinkle-cut French fries with every order. Even though it's great to encourage civic engagement, 'The New York Times' notes, "Providing voters with incentives before or after voting in a federal election is technically illegal." Oops?