MEDIA RELEASE

The county Elections Division is seeking kids’ art and essays – lots of it! Elections officials hope to encourage students and educators to learn about and get interested in elections.

Art and essays may be turned into legislative branch offices in Hilo, Waimea, Kona and Pahoa. Essays may also be e-mailed to jbennett@co.hawaii.hi.us.

The art contest is for kids ages 8-10. Design the voting machine of the future. Artwork should be about the voting machine that can be used to cast votes in the election of the future.

Drawings, paintings, sculpture, collage, mixed media, all formats are welcome. An overall winner will be chosen from all of the entries.

Deadline for submission is 4:30 p.m. Nov. 5. Winners will be announced Nov. 11.

The essay contest is for kids ages 11-13. In 800 words or less, each student should use their imagination and write about what they would accomplish if they were a candidate for the Hawaii County Council and elected to a two-year term to the Hawaii County Council on Nov. 6 (General Election).

An overall winner will be chosen from all of the entries. Deadline for submission is 4:30 p.m. Nov. 5. Winners will be announced Nov. 11.

All submissions must be submitted with the name and age of the participant and the parent/legal guardian’s name, mailing address, electronic mail address and telephone number.

For more information, contact Judy Bennett, temporary elections clerk, at 961-8277 or jbennett@co.hawaii.hi.us.