CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner announced Wednesday that Raleigh County eighth grader Reese Childers has been selected as the Statewide Winner of West Virginia’s first‑ever “I Voted!” Sticker Contest.
The contest, launched in December with support from county clerks across the state, invited eighth‑grade students in public, private, charter, and homeschool programs to design artwork for the stickers given to in‑person voters. More than 1,100 students from 42 counties submitted entries. Each county selected a first‑place winner, and those 42 designs advanced to four regional competitions.
On February 17, Warner announced four Regional Winners as statewide finalists. From February 17 through February 27, members of the public cast 15,947 online votes to choose the statewide winner.
The announcement was made during National Civic Learning Week at a forum hosted by the WV Civics Coalition titled “Civic Learning for a Stronger West Virginia.” The event and press conference were held in the Chamber of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals at the State Capitol, with all four Regional Winners in attendance:
- Region 1: Mackenzie Blizzard, Trinity Christian School, Morgantown
- Region 2: Arabella Piccolomini, Shepherdstown Middle School, Shepherdstown
- Region 3: Ellie Crislip, Ripley Middle School, Ripley
- Region 4: Reese Childers, Shady Spring Middle School, Shady Spring
Warner announced that Childers’ design received the most votes statewide, earning her the title of 2026 Statewide Winner. Raleigh County Clerk Scott Van Meter, representing Region 4, accepted 11,000 printed stickers featuring Childers’ artwork to distribute to Raleigh County voters during the May 12 Primary Election.
“We all know the importance of getting our youth interested in elections — this contest did just that,” Warner said. He added that he hopes voters will “follow the lead of our eighth graders and participate in the upcoming election.”
West Virginia’s Primary Election is May 12. The deadline to register or update voter registration is April 21, and early voting begins April 29. More information is available at GoVoteWV.com.
Childers attended the press conference with her parents, Ben and Crista Childers, along with several family members.
