[NORMAN, Okla.] — On Jan. 20, the Cleveland County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) joined Cleveland County Election Board Secretary Bryant Rains to recognize the winners of the first “I Voted” sticker design contest. 

The winners, fifth-grader Avery Austian of Moore and fifth-grader Millie Diffendaffer of Norman, had their designs showcased at the meeting.

The winning sticker designs have been printed and will be used in addition to the classic flag sticker during the Feb. 10 and April 7 Board of Education/Municipal Elections in Cleveland County.

Cleveland County Election Board Secretary Bryant Rains said there were more than 780 submissions for the inaugural contest.

“We were thrilled by the positive response from students and teachers across Cleveland County,” Rains said. “Picking just two winners was tough, but we are thrilled for Avery and Millie and can’t wait to showcase their artwork.”

Assistant Secretary for the Cleveland County Election Board Garris Dennis said this was their first “I Voted” sticker design contest and they were thrilled by the positive response from students and teachers across Cleveland County. 

Dennis said they have printed 10,000 stickers of each design, one of which is Timber Creek 5^th grader Avery Austian's.

Dennis said, "This was our first attempt at launching something like this, but after the wonderful response, we think this is a program we’ll continue moving forward. Our plan is to hold this contest annually, and the winning designs will be used at the Board of Education/municipal Elections in February and April.

"Our hope is that the contest will not only get students excited about the electoral process, but also generate a little buzz around elections that often go overlooked by many voters in Cleveland County."

Austian's sticker is limited to precincts in Cleveland County and will be used at all 105 precincts in Cleveland County on Feb. 10 and April 7.