The End of "I voted" Stickers

Those “I voted” stickers handed out at polling places on election day are going away. 

The News Tribune reports today that the Pierce County Auditor’s office has made the decision to do away with the stickers to save money. A number of other cost-saving measures are being considered as well, but the stickers are gone, saving the county about $20,000 every election.

Julie Anderson has reversed her position on the stickers, despite bringing them back to mail-in ballots just two years ago with this statement to voters.

We know you love the “I Voted” sticker. Thousands wear it proudly, as a reminder to others. Well, we’ve found a way to include the stickers in your Voters’ Pamphlet. And this way, you can wear “I Voted” at any time during the election period. In fact, we hope you will. Pierce County voter participation is the lowest in the state. Help us remind everyone of this important civic duty.

But now the TNT quotes Anderson with a slightly different view.

I have seen no evidence that this amenity is widely used or appreciated,” she said. “More importantly, it adds no value to the election process.

When you vote, you’re not doing it to get credit, you’re doing it to make your voice heard, to have a say in your government, and to do your civic duty. That said, there is something nice about getting credit for it. Like a lot of you, we proudly sport our “I voted” stickers every election day. They say more than just “I voted.” They say “I care about my community” and “I have opinions and want to be heard.” And then there’s the implied “I voted… and so should you.”