The Ulster County Board of Elections announced the winner of their annual “I Voted” Sticker contest. The contest, which was open to students across the county between the ages of 9-18, saw 270 unique submissions this year. 

Since its 2021 inception, the contest has aimed to inspire the next generation of active and informed citizens.

Submissions were accepted from April through the end of the school year in June. Students were encouraged to use their preferred artistic medium, which may include crayons, colored pencils, or digital designs.

In early July, the county’s two commissioners along with representatives from the arts and education community narrowed down the submissions to six finalists. This year’s finalists were displayed online for public voting between July 15th and August 15th, gathering a total of more than 3,800 unique votes.

The winner of this year’s “I Voted” Sticker Contest was Bea Henry, a seventh grade student at the Mount Laurel Waldorf School in New Paltz. Her winning design featured a friendly blue creature, who appears to be preparing to take a bite out of the words “I Voted.”

Stickers with the winning design will be available at this year’s polling sites and, for those who voted by mail, at the Board of Elections Office.

The Ulster County Board of Elections offers other initiatives to help educate students on voting, including a voting coloring book and in-school assemblies. During assemblies, students practice voting on topics such as their favorite book or flavor of ice cream, load their ballots into voting machines, and take home an “I Voted” sticker. 

County Commissioner for the Board of Elections, Ashley Torres, says that by starting engagement early, the Commission hopes to make voting less intimidating for students. 

This year’s “I Voted” Sticker Contest winner, Bea Henry, will be given the Pride of Ulster County Award, which recognizes those in the community who have made a difference and who exemplify things that the county legislature values. Along with a certificate, Ms. Henry will receive art supplies to foster her creative inclinations.

For questions about voting in Ulster County, visit www.voteulster.com.