For kids under the age of 18, there typically isn’t a reason to get involved on Election Day. The folks in Hennepin County are changing that.
“We just really wanted to get kids involved in civic engagement,” said Nathan Janicek, with Hennepin County Voter Engagement.
The Election Judge Button Design Contest is new this year and open to kids ages 8-18 who live in or attend school in Hennepin County. The idea is to let kids showcase their artistic talent while also showing appreciation for those working at the polls on Nov. 3, Election Day.
“Over 6,000 people will be wearing this student’s art design,” Janicek added.
Entries must be submitted by Sept. 7, 2026, either online or by email. Then, the public will vote on the top 10 designs chosen by a judging panel between Sept. 14 and Oct. 5.
“After Oct. 5, the winner will be chosen, and buttons will be created,” Janicek said.
Button designs must be original and contain the words “Hennepin County Election Judge 2026.”
Entries will be judged on creativity, appeal, adherence to requirements, legibility, and how the design celebrates democracy, voting, and election judges.
Button entries can be hand-drawn or digitally drawn and must be delivered electronically in PDF, JPEG, or PNG form here or emailed to: electionbuttons@hennepin.us.
