When 149,319 New Yorkers cast ballots on the final day of early voting, they set the highest single-day early voting turnout in New York City history. Behind that stands a simple piece of paper: a limited-edition “I Voted” sticker featuring a local landmark, part of a municipal campaign that turned civic participation into an enthusiastic neighborhood rivalry.
Celebrating a Decade of Election Innovation
Marking the 10th anniversary of the Clearinghouse Awards, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission is shining a spotlight on past winners. Among them is the Board of Elections in the City of New York, which earned recognition in the Creative and Original “I Voted” Stickers category for its program, the “Battle of the Boroughs”. Georgea Kontzamanis, the Board of Elections’ Operations Manager, detailed the mechanics of the campaign in an interview published by the agency.
Since early voting made its debut in New York City in 2019, election administrators have faced the challenge of convincing residents to cast their ballots ahead of Election Day. With more than 5 million voters, over 1,200 poll sites, and 15 hours to vote on Election Day, spreading out participation can make a meaningful difference.
Capitalizing on Organic Municipal Pride
Rather than relying on costly advertising campaigns or complex technological overhauls, the operations team noticed something happening organically on social media. During the nine-day early voting period, daily turnout numbers were posted online, and New Yorkers quickly began egging each other on. Residents challenged neighbors, celebrated when their home turf pulled ahead, and claimed bragging rights.
The board decided to lean directly into that friendly friction. For the final weekend of early voting, they introduced five limited-edition “I Voted” stickers, each showcasing an iconic landmark representing one of the five boroughs. The tangible badges gave voters something to collect, share, and compete over.
According to Kontzamanis, the response was immediate and highly visible. What began as five limited-edition stickers quickly became a citywide conversation, generating excitement around early voting and turning a simple “I Voted” sticker into a badge of borough pride.
Ultimately, 23% of voters who participated in the 2024 general election voted early, contributing to an overall turnout of 59% of active registrants. The results reinforced that civic engagement can carry a sense of personality and fun.
Lessons for Jurisdictions Nationwide
For election offices considering similar outreach efforts, the takeaway is grounded. Kontzamanis noted that the best ideas often bubble up directly from the community. By paying attention to what residents already care about and keeping visuals simple, offices can drive engagement.
The Clearinghouse awards are valuable for sharing what works so one good idea can spark another.
