
It takes a special kind of talent to make people laugh even though theyāre living through an absolute hot mess, otherwise known as politics in America. Hudson Rowan, a 14-year-old from Marbletown, New York, is extremely talented in this regard. Heās designed what has become the internetās favorite āI Votedā sticker. He gives me hope. Or at least a way to giggle through spiraling despair.
Rowanās now-legendary sticker, which features a neon human head on spiderās legsĀ a la Toy Storyās iconic Babyface, catapulted Ulster Countyās local online sticker contest to internet stardom. As its name suggests, the contest aims to select a design to use for its āI Votedā stickers for its Nov. 8 general elections later this year. The stickers were created by students between the ages of 13 to 18 from the countyās schools. Rowanās design has, so far, received the most votes of any contender.
Local elected officials are hoping that the contest stimulates greater turnout and inspires other election officials across the country to promote participation among young people who will soon become voters. Ashley Dittus, the Democratic commissioner at the Ulster County Board of Elections, told Gizmodo in an email that election board staff and the county government have āfully embracedā this viral moment.
āUsing online platforms that are popular among those people, like TikTok and Instagram, can be powerful tools to inform voters of their rights, how they can register to vote and ultimately how they can cast their ballot when they are old enough to do so,ā she said.
The contest, which is open for anyone to vote, will run until July 29. Check out all the designs below: