The League of Women Voters of Sarasota County
Announces Their 2026 YVOTE Contest for High School Students

 

Voting eligibility has changed dramatically since our country was founded. Over our nation’s 250 year history, our country has repeatedly redefined who can vote. The theme of this year’s contest,

Empowering the Next Generation:
Should the Voting Age Be Lowered?

challenges students to write a compelling essay or create 2D Artwork for or against lowering the voting age.

All students in Sarasota County’s public charter and district public high schools are eligible to enter, regardless of whether they are able to register to vote. Students will work independently on their entries, and the contest is not part of classroom activities or assignments.

The winner in each category will receive $500; the second place winners will receive $300 and the third place winners will receive $200. The deadline for submission is Monday, March 23, 2026. Winners will be announced by mid April.

The contest entry form, which includes a required release, contest rules and  the judging rubrics can be downloaded here.  Essays cannot exceed 500 words and must be nonpartisan.  2D Artwork can be: 24x36, 16x24 or 11x17, and must be submitted digitally (unframed).

This year's contest is funded in part by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation Ruth and James Whitney Charitable Fund, a LWVUS Youth Voter Registration Project grant and donations to the League of Women Voters of Sarasota County Education Fund.

The League of Women Voters of Sarasota County is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization with a history of promoting voter participation on the local level. LWVSRQ conducts local election candidate forums, hosts educational events, monitors local government bodies and supports public education.  Our commitment to the next generation of voters inspires this “YVOTE”  contest.