The four winning election stickers for this year. From left is the ‘Future Voter’ design by Sara Van Horn of Atascadero; the I Voted design by Del Mar Elementary fourth grader Brynn Smart; the I Voted design [for seventh-12th graders] by Annie Schwent of Arroyo Grande; and the ‘Yo Vote” sticker designed by Aurelia Shua of SLO’s Pacheco Elementary. Submitted photo
The County Elections Office has selected winners for its Election Stickers contest for the June Primary and a student from Morro Bay is one of the winners.
County Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano announced the “I Voted” election sticker design winners, which were selected by a panel of mayors from San Luis Obispo County.
“The winning designs,” Cano said in a news release, “by Del Mar Elementary fourth grader Brynn Smart and Arroyo Grande High School freshman, Annie Schwent, were selected from more than 40 entries.”
That’s more than double the entries that were submitted in the last I Voted sticker contest in November 2024, Cano said,.
There were two age divisions, grades 3-6 and grades 7-12. The “Yo voté” and “Future Voter” entries were open to all students from third to 12th.
The contest was open to all SLO County students. Two other winners were also selected.
“The Mayors also selected a ‘Yo voté’ design,” Cano said, “created by third grader Aurelia Shua of Pacheco Elementary [in SLO], as well as a ‘Future Voter’ sticker designed by Sara Van Horn, who is a resident of Atascadero and homeschooled through Abide Christian School.”
“The ‘I Voted’ sticker design contest is one of the most fun things we get to do,” Cano said. “We love seeing students get civically involved early, and the voters really love getting to pick up one of the ‘special stickers’ each election. We get so many requests for them.”
All four of the new stickers will be available at both the San Luis Obispo and Atascadero Elections Offices beginning May 4, and they will be distributed at all polling locations throughout the county on Election Day, June 2, and again on Nov. 3.”
Schwent’s design features the state bird (California quail) waving an American flag. Smart’s “I Voted” sticker includes a patriotic heart and flag design.
The “Yo Voté” design includes a bald eagle head against red and white stripes and Van Horn’s “Future Voter” sticker also features a flag.
Cano visited each winner in person surprising them at school and presenting them with framed versions of their designs. Shua, who is home schooled, will visit the Elections Office at the County Government Center to receive her award.
The stickers are handed out to voters when they leave the polls after voting in person. If readers vote by mail and want one, you’ll have to go to the Elections Office to get them.
