Sedgwick County Election Office Announces Winners of 2026 Voting Sticker Contests

(Sedgwick County, Kan.) – Today, Sedgwick County Election Commissioner Laura Rainwater announced winners of the student design contest for the 2026 “I Voted” and “Future Voter” stickers. This marked the first year for the “Future Voter” sticker contest, which was open to children in grades K-5.

Rylin Dehncke, a sophomore at Maize South High School, won the contest for the “I Voted” sticker, which was open to students in grades 6-12. Dehncke’s colorful design showcases multiple elements from the Kansas, including the state bird of Kansas — the Western Meadowlark, a barn, grain bin, airplane, wheat stalk, sunflower, the state motto — “Ad Astra Per Aspera,” and a road leading through a prairie to the Kansas State Capitol building.

Penelope Gaeddert, a third-grade student at Colwich Elementary, is the winner of the first “Future Voter” sticker contest. Her design features an American Buffalo — the Kansas state animal, in a field of sunflowers and a blue sky under the words “Future Voter.”

“Thousands of Sedgwick County residents who participate in the 2026 elections will have the opportunity to wear stickers they get at the polls or in an advance by mail ballot,” Rainwater said. “Civic engagement in youth is one of the top goals of the Sedgwick County Election Office, and this contest is a fun way to involve our schools in elections.”

A panel of judges from the community picked the winning artwork from 305 “I Voted” sticker entries and 163 “Future Voter” designs that came from 38 schools, as well as many homeschool students.

In the “I Voted” sticker contest, Riley McAlister, a ninth grader at Derby High School, and Willa Lorenson, a junior at Valley Center High School, tied for second place. Aubryella Escoto, an eighth grader at Derby North Middle School, placed third.

In the “Future Voter” sticker contest, Sophia Solorzano, a fifth-grade student at Isley Traditional Magnet, earned second place. Third place was given to Isley fifth grader Adalynn Renich and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton fourth-grade student Clara Lies.

The Election Commissioner introduced the winning student artists and their designs at the April 1 Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) meeting. The artwork of all students who placed in the contest will also be displayed at the Sedgwick County Election Office. Winning artwork will be showcased on Sedgwick County Government social media pages and on the Sedgwick County Election Office website.

This was the third year for Sedgwick County’s “I Voted” sticker contest and the inaugural “Future Voter” contest. The artwork submitted had to be original and non-partisan and incorporate the words “I Voted” or “Future Voter.” For more on the contest and its rules, visit the Sedgwick County Election website at Election Office | Sedgwick County, Kansas.