Janet Boudreau explains origin of the national 'I Voted' sticker

Janet Boudreau designed the

I Voted

sticker in 1987 to replace a plain local badge she found lacking. The symbol now appears on millions of voters across the United States. Boudreau started her design work in that year while operating an election supply and voting equipment company.

She recalled observing a Washington state county distribute a simple black and white sticker featuring an X inside a square. Boudreau said the design felt uninspiring to her. She returned home and used a blue and red pen to sketch an alternative image. Her final design featured an ellipse containing a waving flag.

The new sticker began circulating in a few counties before expanding nationally. By 1992, the item had become widespread. Boudreau described the growth during that period with excitement. She noted that the adoption rate increased rapidly in the early 1990s.

Voting memorabilia has existed for decades. Pins, buttons, and ribbons were common tools for political engagement. The women's suffrage movement in the 1920s utilized similar items to promote civic participation. The modern sticker evolved from that long tradition of visual cues for ballot casting.

Since its rise in the 1990s, the standard design has spawned variations. Some versions feature state-specific imagery. Others appear as patches for future voters. Contests have also encouraged children to create their own designs. Boudreau said these variations help keep the tradition alive for younger generations.

Boudreau views the sticker as a badge of honor. She stated that the item serves as a promise and a call to action during each election cycle. She believes the act of wearing the sticker amplifies the citizen's voice on a specific day. She said the goal is to inspire Americans to cast ballots and then spread the word about the event.