Politicians use several strategies during campaigns. They hold rallies, travel across the state to speak with voters, give interviews and run political advertisements on television. These are the traditional ways candidates encourage people to vote.
But recently, another form of political influence has gained attention on social media, and it has less to do with campaign speeches or candidates and more to do with an Instagram story featuring an aesthetic picture of an “I voted” sticker.
Over the past two weeks, the stickers handed out at polling locations have become a staple on Instagram and TikTok, with voters across the country sharing pictures of them. But these posts aren’t just about showing off a sticker. Many users also encourage their followers to vote.
For younger generations who grew up sharing their experiences online, seeing friends and peers participate in an election can make voting feel like more than a civic responsibility. Social media has turned something as simple as an “I voted” sticker into a shared experience that encourages others to participate.
Voting FOMO
Scrolling through Instagram and seeing my peers post their voting stickers made me feel like there was a cool kids’ club where everyone had voted, and I was the only one left out.
Even though I had planned to vote from the beginning, I was busy with midterms during the first few days of early voting. Seeing everyone else participate made me even more eager to get to the polls and finally join in.
Part of the appeal is that voting now comes with another experience people can look forward to. Like posting pictures from a concert or sporting event, sharing an “I voted” sticker lets people document their participation and feel included in what’s happening around them.
And it wasn’t just happening locally. I kept seeing similar posts from people across the country on TikTok, with comment sections filled with pictures of voting stickers from different states.
Some people shared who they voted for by adding red or blue hearts, while others simply wanted everyone to know they had cast their ballots.
Celebrities have also joined in. Lady Gaga, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt, to name a few, have been seen on social media encouraging their followers to vote. With millions following their every move, these celebrities can make voting feel like something everyone is doing.
That’s what makes this trend so interesting. You don’t have to share your political beliefs or even who you voted for to participate. The sticker itself becomes something people want to show off and when everyone on your feed seems to have one except you, it’s hard not to feel like you’re missing out.
What was once just a small reward for voting has become a social media trend that makes participating in an election feel like something everyone wants to be a part of.
From posts to polls
The numbers don’t lie: Harris County recorded historic midterm voter turnout, with more than 1 million early votes. The county also saw a significant increase in young registered voters.
In 2022, 495,509 registered voters were ages 18 to 34, compared with 846,224 in 2026. That’s an increase of more than 350,000 registered young voters in just four years.
Harris County wasn’t alone in seeing participation rise. Across Texas, about 7.7 million people voted early, up from 4.9 million in the 2018 midterm election.
Young voters’ influence was especially visible in Texas, where Democrats James Talarico and Gina Hinojosa received strong support from the youngest voters. While it’s difficult to determine how much social media contributed to turnout, the numbers show that younger generations care about political participation.
Whether voters were motivated by political issues, candidates or the influence of those around them, the enthusiasm surrounding this election deserves attention. It also raises the question of whether traditional campaign strategies are the only way to encourage political participation.
While political campaigns spend millions trying to reach young voters, something as simple as an “I voted” sticker on social media may help make voting feel less like a civic obligation and more like an experience worth sharing.
opinion@thedailycougar.com
