The Evolution of 'I Voted' Stickers as an Election Day Tradition

Few people realize that when Janet Boudreau votes at her local polling station and receives an 'I Voted' sticker adorned with an American flag, she played a key role in popularizing this voting memento.

The concept of 'I Voted' stickers emerged in public awareness around 1982, documented by a Miami Herald piece highlighting consumer discounts for those wearing the sticker. However, these stickers were not widely distributed on Election Day until 1987 when Boudreau took charge of the election supply company Intab, originally managed by her father in Seattle. She sought to innovate by introducing colorful stickers to polling stations nationwide.

Boudreau recounted that prior to her involvement, 'I Voted' stickers were rare and uninspiring, typically monochrome with basic symbols like a checkmark or X. The absence of creative elements led her to sketch a vibrant design featuring the phrase 'I Voted' alongside a waving American flag, symbolizing civic pride and duty.

This design transformed into a bestseller for Intab, eventually reaching sales of over 100 million stickers by 2012, spreading across all states and U.S. territories.

Modern Day Variations

Having sold Intab in 2015, Boudreau shifted to mentoring business owners on growth strategies. Despite the sale, her signature flag-emblazoned 'I Voted' stickers maintain a presence in election offices throughout the U.S. Meanwhile, some regions have inspired younger generations by hosting sticker design contests inviting school-aged participants.

These contests yield imaginative outcomes: In Ulster County, New York, a 14-year-old named Hudson Rowan created a sticker depicting a large-eyed face with spider limbs. Another notably creative design emerged during Michigan's 2024 election cycle, featuring a werewolf tearing its shirt before an American flag, crafted by 12-year-old Jane Hynous. This particular design even captured the attention of Vice President Kamala Harris during her visit to a Pontiac barber shop.

Boudreau appreciates the diversity of designs, expressing, "The more creative, the better. Encouraging children to engage with voting's importance is fantastic, indeed."