First “I Voted” Sticker Bobbles Unveiled

MILWAUKEE – This morning, in conjunction with the upcoming 2024 election a week from today, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled the first “I Voted” Sticker Bobble. The bobbles are being unveiled as Americans across the country head to the polls for early voting, mail in their ballot, or prepare to vote in person on Tuesday, November 5th.

The iconic “I Voted” stickers have become a way to show people that you voted and encourage others to do the same. They have inspired a wide variety of different products including shirts, cookies, and other merchandise—and now, bobbles! The special edition bobbles are being produced by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, which has previously released bobbleheads featuring the 2024 president and vice president candidates as well as every United States President.

Positioned on a rectangular blue base, the bobble of the “I Voted” sticker is a replica of the oval-shaped sticker featuring the billowing American flag. The bobbles, which will be individually numbered, are available for pre-order exclusively through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum’s Online Store. Expected to ship in January, the bobbleheads cost $25 for a 4-inch version and $15 for a 2-inch version, plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order.

The oval-shaped “I Voted” sticker has been a staple within American voting culture for decades – so much so that even some absentee ballots include the patriotic decal in the envelope. While the sticker remains ubiquitous as the country’s most beloved participation trophy, many are unaware of its origins.

It’s unclear where the first voting sticker debuted as they’ve been regionally available through local businesses and organizations since after World War II. The Miami Herald mentions the distribution of an “I Have Voted” sticker at Miami polls as early as 1950 to remind others of their civic duty, and another article from 1982 notes small businesses offering Election Day discounts and freebies for those donning the sticker in Fort Lauderdale. On the other side of the country, the Phoenix Board of Realtors claimed that they designed and distributed the first “I Voted Today” sticker for poll visitors in 1985 in an effort to get better acquainted with the community and promote voter turnout in favor of a freeway expansion query that was on the ballot that year.

Janet Boudreau, who used to run the election-supply company Independent Tabulation, designed a version with an American flag blowing in the wind in 1987, in acknowledgment of the lack of public awareness of Election Day. By late 1988, the stickers were available in all 50 states. Political scientists say the sticker represents an attempt to bring back a sense of community that was once associated with voting.

“In celebration of the historic 2024 election, we are excited to unveil the first ‘I Voted’ sticker bobbles,” National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said. “The patriotic decal has been a symbol of Election Day for decades and we are confident this bobble will be a must-have for voters of all ages.”

About the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum:
The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, which is located at 170 S. 1st St. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, opened to the public on February 1st, 2019. The HOF and Museum also produces high quality, customized bobbleheads for retail sale as well as organizations, individuals, and teams across the country. Visit us online and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.