Is Michigan’s “I Voted” Sticker Contest More Secure Than Our Elections?
The only election in Michigan that achieved universal legitimacy put a werewolf on the ballot in 2024
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has a history of controversial election practices, investigations, and lawsuits. Despite this, she will supervise an election in November in which she is a candidate for governor.
But in 2024, Benson found an election everybody could agree on, and administer in a cost effective, secure manner. For the first time in her career, everyone was happy with the process and the results. Enter the “I Voted” sticker contest.
Benson said at the time: “Democracy is a team sport and our first ‘I Voted’ sticker contest is a fun way to get people across the state engaged in our elections.”
“I hope that students, parents, educators, and community groups all help us spread the word about this opportunity to showcase Michigan’s creativity and civic pride,” Benson added.
If engagement and creativity were the goals, the project was a success.
The stickers received 57,700 votes and 1.17 million stickers were printed at a cost of roughly $32,767. That's about 2.8 cents per sticker.
The 2024 winners included an iconic howling werewolf who appears to be ripping off his shirt. The Werewolf united us. Republicans loved the werewolf. Democrats loved the werewolf. Independents loved the werewolf.
No one questioned the results. There were no recounts, late night ballot drops, lawsuits, or questions about voter roles.
Can she do it again?
Voting is now underway for the second most important sticker election of our lifetime.
Is it time for radical change? Will Michigan select a frog, a coney dog, or a cross-stitched mitten to symbolize democratic participation? Or will voters honor our shared heritage with an elk, the Mighty Mac, or a lighthouse standing vigil over the Great Lakes?
As in 2024, a dark horse—or more likely a deer—could emerge from the elementary school division. Perhaps voters will rally behind a PRIDE pizza.
Maybe the "Hay I Voted" sticker will become a tribute to Michigan's educational rankings.
Or perhaps we'll celebrate our commitment to immigration and diversity with an "I Voted" sticker translated into every language spoken in Michigan to make non-citizens feel included in our elections.
Regardless, Michiganders can be confident in the outcome of this crucial election. Safeguards are in place.
To cast a ballot, voters must provide an email address and may vote only once. Unlike regular elections, there is no affidavit to sign if you don’t have a suitable ID. No email address, no vote.
Nobody expects Rosie the Riveter to wake up on July 1 and discover she has been overtaken by a mysterious overnight surge of Petoskey Stone ballots.
The winners will be announced. The losers will concede. And Michigan will move forward together.
Perhaps Michigan has finally discovered the secret to restoring faith in elections: Stop electing politicians. Start electing stickers.
One email address; one vote.
