Let’s be honest—what’s more important: the vote or the sticker?
Of course, the vote matters most. But I’d argue that the sticker makes all the difference.
Why? Because it makes voting fun. It turns a simple civic duty into something memorable. Voting doesn’t have to feel like a dry, transactional act, it’s a powerful moment to express your voice, shape the policies that affect your daily life, and be part of something bigger. Especially at the local level, voters have a real, tangible impact.
So, is the sticker the reason to vote? No. But in an increasingly divisive political climate, it’s one of the few things we can all smile about, regardless of party. That little sticker becomes a symbol of unity, pride, and participation. It’s a joyful reminder that your voice matters.
And that brings me to the problem.
I’m 19 years old, and I serve as an election judge. I have been working in elections for the past two years. I started as a clerk and then, as I gained my footing, completed more training to be a judge. I’ve worked several elections now, and I’ve noticed one thing: there are never enough “I Voted” stickers. We always run out. It’s a good problem (high turnout!), but it breaks my heart to watch voters walk away disheartened without their well-earned badge of honor.
Think about it: when we’re kids, we’re constantly rewarded—gold stars, smiley face stickers, all act as praise for good behavior. But as adults, those simple tokens of recognition disappear. We still work hard. We still show up. But we don’t always get a “thank you.”
That sticker might seem small, but to me, it’s someone’s smile. It’s a symbol of pride. It’s one of the small joys in life that remind us we’ve done something meaningful.
So, my team came up with a solution.
On June 7th, 2025, during the City of San Antonio Runoff Election, we realized we were not supplied with an adequate amount of stickers for our voter turnout, so my team, including Alt, Judge Mary Flannagan, and both fellow college students, Sophia Go, and Jazmin Storrs, all got creative. We cut unused sticker labels in half, and Jazmin started to draw. She designed intricate, joyful illustrations celebrating voting: big smiles and open arms, in the forms of tiny works of art.
At first, we weren’t sure anyone would want them. But to our surprise, voters loved them even more than the originals. They appreciated the creativity. They lit up with joy at the hand-drawn stickers, pen smudges and all.
Those doodled stickers turned a long election day into something filled with laughter and warmth. We made something out of nothing and to the voters, it mattered.
So yes, it’s “just” a sticker. But it represents our right as citizens, a right that was hard-won and is deserving of careful preservation. It reflects our impact, our participation, and our democracy.
And sometimes, all it takes is a hand-drawn sticker to remind us of the magic in that.
