The Maine Constitution Poster and Essay Contests through the Secretary of State’s office is now accepting entries. Entries are due by March 7, 2025.
The Maine Poster and Essay Contests is designed to promote the history of Maine, the Maine Constitution, and the importance of democracy and voting. This program is open to Maine students at all grade levels. In 2024, 162 entries were received from students all over Maine.
Students in kindergarten through fifth grade create a poster, while students in grades K-3 draw posters of official Maine symbols. Students in grades four and five draw posters of a Maine history theme of their choice.
Students at the middle/high school levels write an essay from a writing prompt. The prompt for students in grades 6-8 is, “Choose an article of the Maine State Constitution that you believe is the most important and describe why.” The prompt for students in grades 9-12 is, “Research and describe an aspect of Maine voting law that you believe most greatly benefits our democracy.”
Winning entries will receive an award certificate, a ceremony at the Maine Department of the Secretary of State or at their school, and inclusion in a news release about contest winners. Each student who submits an entry will receive a participation certificate. For more details, visit the Maine Poster and Essay Contests page on the Secretary of State Web site.