High School Student Essay ContestOpen to Any High School Aged Person In Jefferson CountyGrand Prize: $500 -- 2nd Place $300 -- 3rd Place $150 This year's essay question: Why is the outcome of the November 2024 election important? Make an argument for how the results of that election are affecting your daily life and give specific examples.The rules: Essay Submission Date are 12:00 a.m. March 1 through March 31, 2025. Submissions will be accepted ONLY during this time frame, ending at 12:01 am April 1 Essays should be a maximum of 500 words, they must be typed, doubled spaced, and include a word count at the bottom of the essay. All sources should be cited accurately (yes, we check them). Your word count does not include reference citations or your essay title. Please Include a cover letter withyour name,either your or a parent’s telephone number, andan email addressfor contact and any questions. We will contact you if we have a problem reading or accessing your essay. The essay must be in your own words, no AI submissions. One essay per student will be accepted. Essays must be submitted by email. The formats for submitting are.docx or .pdf. If a student wants to submit via a shared google doc, students must give LWVJEFFCOWA@gmail.com permission to view the essay. If you forget to add this email address as a reader, we will email you and your teacher/administrator/guardian one time as a reminder. Students submitting via a shared google doc should check their emails within 48 hours of submitting to make sure the document could be read. If LWVJC is unable to access your essay before the deadline, your essay will be disqualified. Essays will be blind judged by a panel, with the top 3 winners receiving a cash prize. Submissions will be judged based on the following criteria: adherence to published guidelines, grammar and punctuation; citation accuracy; clear and concise language and writing style. Want to encourage civic engagement and support the young people of this community? Join the LWVJC and be a part of the Essay Team or donate to the prize fund. Mark your checks with "Essay Contest" and mail them to LWV/Jefferson County, P.O. Box 707, Port Townsend WA 98368. Announcing the Winners of the2024 High School Essay ContestCongratulations to everyone who thought deeply about the political issues they care about and wrote about them in this year's essay contest. Winners are: 1st Place: Sitka Vicha, Chimacum High School 2nd Place: Calliope Mosher, Chimacum High School 3rd Place: Kepler Edmundson, Port Townsend High School Thank you again, students, for the time and attention you paid to the pressing issues facing us, and thank you for sharing your views. Jefferson County Ballot Box Locations:Quinault Nation (Queets) In front of the Queets Tribal Office Quilcene Community Center 294952 Highway 101, Quilcene Nordland Fire Station 6633 Flagler Road, Nordland Jefferson County Library 620 Cedar Ave, Port Hadlock (Next to the book drop box in the parking lot.) Jefferson County Courthouse 1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend (One in the back parking lot, one in front of the building, and one outside the County Auditor’s Office) Hoh Nation 2261 Lower How Road, Forks (In front of the Tribal Police Center) Gateway Visitor Center 93 Beaver Valley Road, Port Ludlow Brinnon Community Center 306144 Highway 101, Brinnon Curious about running for office? The following transcripts give you an idea of what the jobs involve. Port Commissioner Information Session Transcript.pdf School Board Information Session Transcript.pdf City Council Information Session Transcript.pdf Curious about the League of Women Voters?The Jefferson County Unit-At-Large focuses on Voter Education. Membership is open to anyone over the age of 16 who is willing to abide by our policies, as set forth by the League of Women Voters of the United States. 1. Political PolicyThe League shall not support or oppose any political party or any candidate. You can still be active with any political party you choose, but while you are conducting League business, you leave your personal politics at the door. 2. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Policy.LWV is an organization fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in principle and in practice. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to the organization’s current and future success in engaging all individuals, households, communities, and policy makers in creating a more perfect democracy. There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, gender identity, ethnicity, race, native or indigenous origin, age, generation, sexual orientation, culture, religion, belief system, marital status, parental status, socioeconomic status, language, accent, ability status, mental health, educational level or background, geography, nationality, work style, work experience, job role function, thinking style, personality type, physical appearance, political perspective or affiliation and/or any other characteristic. 3. Our Organizational StructureAs a Unit-at-Large, we function under the greater auspices of the LWVWA. We are governed by a chair, a treasurer, and a secretary, and all other work is conducted via ad-hoc teams and by group consensus. All documents coming from the LWVJC UAL are coordinated with the entire membership for full transparency. Our leadership is chosen at our annual meeting in May. We defer to the rulings of LWVWA and LWVUS on all other matters of policy. Are you a caregiver?Click here to review rules for helping the person you care for vote. Refresh Yourself on Voting ProceduresThe League of Women Voters of Jefferson County greatly appreciate your interest and the support of our partners, AAUW-PT and media partner KPTZ 91.9 FM, Port Townsend's Community Radio. | Want to make your views known during the 2025 WA Legislative Session?to subscribe to the Legislative Newsletter. Each Sunday during the session, you'll get the newsletter with handy links to help you share your thoughts on bills being heard that week in the WA House and Senate. What Could You Do In the League?Help with the annual essay contest for high school students.Learn to organize and run candidate forums for local elections.Serve as an Election Observer.Register people to vote.(ask us to find out more) ContactAngela Gyurko, President Join your local League! We are open to all persons residing in Jefferson County. The LWV is moving toward a pay-what-you can dues structure to allow more people to take advantage of the resources the League offers anyone concerned about Voter Access and Voting Rights. Our past dues structure included three levels (listed below): $15—Teambuilder These are member-sponsored memberships for new members helping expand our reach throughout the county. $70—Individual $105—Two persons at the same address $120—Benefactor membership, for those wishing to help expand our membership ranks. All Dues include membership in the League of Women Voters of Washington State and the US League of Women Voters. To join or renew: Send your name, phone, email, and check to: LWV/Jefferson County |