"I VOTED" stickers design update periodic competitions authorization provision

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bonnie Westlin

The bill lets election officials periodically hold design contests to update I VOTED stickers, but designs must only say I VOTED and be nonpartisan.

Referred to Elections

#elections #government-local #government-state

Purpose and intent

The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to authorize periodic competitions to update the design of the state’s “I VOTED” stickers used to acknowledge that a person has cast a ballot.

The core goal is to allow refreshed sticker designs while preserving the simple, nonpartisan nature of the message.

Key provisions and changes

Current sticker program preserved (Section 204B.49(a))

Local election officials (secretary of state, county auditor, municipal clerk, school district clerk, or an election judge) may provide an “I VOTED” sticker to individuals who:
- Have deposited a ballot into a ballot box,
- Receive an absentee ballot under specified statutory provisions (sections 203B.07, subdivision 1, or 203B.21, subdivision 2),
- Are provided a ballot by mail under sections 204B.45 or 204B.46.
The sticker may contain the words “I VOTED” and nothing more.

Authorization of periodic design competitions (Section 204B.49(b))

State and local election officials listed above may periodically administer a competition to update the design of the “I VOTED” sticker.
Updated designs may include graphic design elements but must:
- Include only the words “I VOTED,”
- Use imagery that does not advocate for or against any political party, candidate, ballot question, or public policy issue,
- Not include any other words or numbers.
The provision recognizes that a competition may yield multiple winning designs.

Who is affected

Primary: Minnesota voters who cast ballots and are eligible to receive an “I VOTED” sticker.

Administrative: Secretary of State, county auditors, municipal clerks, school district clerks, and election judges who issue stickers and run design competitions.

Design and outreach: Potential designers and school districts or participating election offices that choose to participate in or showcase winning designs.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Legislative action: SF 4734 was introduced and referred to Elections on March 23, 2026.

The bill establishes a process for periodic competitions but does not specify the frequency, rules for submission timelines, selection criteria, or distribution mechanics beyond the design restrictions.

If enacted, the new authority would operate alongside the existing statutory framework for issuing stickers and conducting design competitions as determined by election officials.

Additional notes

The bill includes added permissive language; it does not require sticker redesigns but allows periodic competitions.

The design must remain strictly nonpartisan and textual-only beyond the decorative imagery, promoting a uniform public message centered on participation rather than policy or politics.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with the current statute to highlight exactly what is changing, or draft a brief FAQs section for voters and election administrators.

Bill