The League of Women Voters of Sarasota County Announces
2026-2027 YVOTE Contest for Public Middle School Students
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in the 2024 presidential election, 73.6% of voting-age citizens were registered to vote, but only 65.3% voted. At 47.7%, voters ages 18 to 24 continued to have the lowest participation rate of any age group. Why is this? How would you urge someone in this age group to vote?
YVote? Convince Me It Matters!
encourages you to write a compelling essay, create 2D artwork, or produce a social media video.
All students in Sarasota County’s public charter and district public middle schools are eligible to enter. Students will work independently on their entries, and the contest is not part of classroom activities or assignments.
The winner in each grade and category will receive $300; second-place winners will receive $200, and third-place winners will receive $100. The submission deadline is Friday, January 22, 2027. Winners will be announced by late March.
The contest entry form, which includes a required release, contest rules, and judging rubrics, can be downloaded here. Essays cannot exceed 500 words. All entries must be nonpartisan. 2D artwork may be 24x36, 16x24, or 11x17 and must be submitted digitally and unframed.
The nonpartisan policy of the League of Women Voters (LWV) strictly mandates that the organization will not support or oppose any political party or candidate for public office. This contest is funded by the League of Women Voters of Sarasota County Education Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. 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.
Download the application in Spanish here. Download the application in Russian here.