SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – The City of Brookings is hoping to improve voter turnout and get more people interested in the April elections by hosting an “I Voted” sticker design contest for the city’s youth. 

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The contest is open for youth under 18 years old and live within city limits. The winning design will be printed on stickers for the April 8 municipal and school board elections. 

“We wanted to do something that would remind the public that we got a local election coming up,” Brookings City Clerk Bonnie Foster said. “What better way to do that than by encouraging our youth to create a sticker to help support the adults in our world to get out and vote?”

The design must feature “I Voted” in a legible font and fit within the dimensions of a two-inch circle. Entries must be submitted by noon on Friday, Feb. 28.

Designs will be disqualified if they include trademarks, artificial intelligence, unoriginal artwork, party affiliations, copyrighted images or obscenities. 

On April 8, Brookings residents will vote for two new city council members, two new school board members and on a few city charter amendments that Foster said should be available later this week. 

In 2024, the city saw a 16% voter turnout for the city council election. Out of the 12, 987 eligible voters, only 2,000 ballots were cast. 

“I know there is some voter fatigue, but with our city council and our school board, these two entities have a consistent direct impact on daily lives,” City Council Member Brianna Doran said. “It’s important to get informed and engaged because local elections can have an impact on housing, to your streets, to taxes, to businesses, to even schools and where they’re built in the town.”

As an added benefit, City Council Member Nick Wendell said the contest will help young people learn and get interested in voting. 

“The sticker competition is just one way to remind young people that voting is something that they can be excited about and celebrate,” Wendell added. “I take my daughter to the polls with me every election day and she loves getting the I voted sticker. The idea that maybe that sticker was designed locally by a local student is even cooler.”

The entry form and more contest information can be found here.