Georgia "I voted" sticker by Atlanta artist draws criticism

Catch up quick: Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announced Tuesday that the state printed 5 million copies of Penley's design to distribute to all 159 counties for the general election.

How it started: Penley offered Raffensperger, who leaves office next January, "a favor years ago as he respects him, and we took it up," Robert Sinners, the secretary's communications director, told Axios.

• Penley was not paid for the design, Sinners said.

Context: Penley has invited Gov. Brian Kemp and Herschel Walker to hold campaign rallies at his Buckhead studio.

• He jokingly told the AJC in 2022 that he's so far to the right politically that he considers former Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who displayed several Penley works in his congressional offices, "my liberal friend."
• Penley's online store describes a painting of Trump raising his fist after the 2024 assassination attempt as symbolizing "the fight for freedom and prosperity."

Yes, but: Penley's subjects include Democratic icons like John F. Kennedy, and Republicans and Democrats buy his work, according to the AJC.

• A portrait of Michelle Obama that Penley gave to her daughters in 2013 is held in the Barack Obama Presidential Library's collection.

Reality check: The new sticker hasn't abolished the classic peach. Counties can decide whether they hand out the new sticker, the peach design, or both, Michon Lindstrom, Raffensperger's spokesperson, said on X.