What’s the best part about voting? Taking part in the democratic process. And the second-best part? The stickers, of course.

Are you sitting down? Good. Because what I’m about to tell you will probably make you incredibly depressed. Okay…here goes. [Deep breath.] According to Freeman Klopott, budget cuts may force the District’s Board of Elections and Ethics to cut the purchase of “I Voted” stickers in fiscal year 2012. Outrage!

DCist reader Jon in Brookland sent in this image of an odd-looking inspection sticker he received from the District government. He wanted to know if it might be a fake, since he’d read about the con artist who has been allegedly posing as a Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs inspector in several D.C. neighborhoods lately. Jon’s plumbers had also told him they’d already received a green “approved” sticker for the work they were doing…

DCist Music Editor Amanda Mattos snapped some photos of the various ‘I Voted’ stickers represented in her office. D.C.’s sticker seems kinda lame compared to most of the rest of these, doesn’t it? And don’t forget to take advantage of the many freebies available around town today if you’re wearing an ‘I Voted’ sticker. UPDATE: Elevated from the comments: the Post reports that all those giveaways targeted at people sporting an ‘I Voted’ sticker may…