The Maine Poster and Essay Contests are 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. We received a total of 162 entries for the 2024 program from students all over the state of Maine.
Students at the kindergarten through 5th grade level create a poster:
- Students in grades K - 3 draw posters of official Maine symbols;
- Students in grades 4 & 5 draw posters with a Maine history theme of their choice.
Students at the middle/high school levels write an essay:
Please note that we have new prompts for 2025!
- Students in grades 6-8 write an essay on the Maine Constitution;
- 2025 Prompt: Choose an article of the Maine State Constitution that you believe is the most important and describe why.
- Students in grades 9-12 write an essay on the importance of voting and democracy.
- 2025 Prompt: 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 Office of the Secretary of State or at their school, and inclusion in a press release about contest winners. Each student who submits an entry will receive a participation certificate.
Program Rules
Posters
- Posters may not exceed 15" x 24" in size.
- Each poster must be clearly marked with the student's name, grade, and school name on the back.
- All poster submissions must be received via mail for judging. Submissions via email will not be accepted.
Essays
- All essays should not exceed 1500 words.
- Essays should be emailed to Vanessa.Diaz.Gaumond@Maine.Gov in PDF format with the subject line ESSAY SUBMISSION(S) FOR [CONTEST]. File names should include the students name and contest they are submitting for. For Example: Jane Smith Constitution Essay
General Information
- All essays and posters will be judged on the following criteria:
- Originality
- Dedication to contest theme
- Knowledge of topic
- Return of essays and posters cannot be guaranteed.
- Entries should be submitted with the registration form (PDF). A separate registration form should be used for each grade level/category. Educators submitting entries for multiple students should only use one registration form. Entries are due March 7, 2025.
Contact
Office of the Secretary of State
148 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0148
Telephone: 207-626-8400
FAX: 207-287-8598
Send email to: sos.office@maine.gov