Oroville fourth grader Judd Hallen has emerged as the winner of the Butte County “I Voted” sticker contest, a competition aimed at encouraging civic engagement among students. On November 26, 2025, Judd, accompanied by his mother, visited the Butte County Hall of Records, believing they were simply picking up passport applications. Instead, he received a delightful surprise: the announcement of his victory.
Judd shared his experience, recounting, “We got to the place, and the guy, Butte County Clerk-Recorder Keaton Denlay, he came up and he said, ‘You must be Judd,’ and I didn’t know why he said my name. Then we got to his office, and he said, ‘Do you know why you’re here?’ And I said, ‘No,’ and he told me that I won the competition, and I was really excited.”
Creative Achievement in Civic Engagement
The Butte County Clerk-Recorder’s office revealed Judd’s win after reviewing a total of 164 artwork submissions from students in grades kindergarten through 12. Judd, a fourth grader at CORE Butte Charter School, stood out as the youngest finalist among six contestants, who included students from seventh, eighth, and twelfth grades.
His winning design features a bear biting down on the words “I voted,” incorporating the colors red, white, and blue. The bear symbolizes California’s state flag, reflecting local pride and identity. Judd expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I think that’ll be awesome,” referring to how tens of thousands of voters in Butte County will wear his sticker during the upcoming election cycle.
Impact on Local Elections
Judd’s artwork is set to be featured on stickers distributed during the 2026-27 election cycle. This initiative not only promotes voter participation but also highlights the creativity of young residents in Butte County. The contest aims to engage students in the electoral process and instill a sense of civic responsibility from an early age.
The recognition of his artistic talent serves as an inspiration not only for Judd but also for his peers, emphasizing the importance of participation in democracy. As Judd prepares for the future, he joins a legacy of young artists making a difference in their communities through creativity and civic involvement.
