This election contest is for the youth
The Town of Cobourg is inviting budding young artists and writes to take part in this year's municipal election process with two creative contests – an “I Voted” sticker design competition and a “My Ideal Town” essay contest.
While only Cobourg residents aged 18 and older will be able to vote in this fall's quadrennial run for mayor, deputy mayor, councillor and school-board trustee positions, these contest encourage younger local residents to get involved and learn about the democratic process.
Young artists are invited to design an “I Voted” sticker design that will be used on the town's election website and made available at Voter Help Centres during kiosk voting. Entries and a winner will be recognized in three categories – junior kindergarten through Grade 6, Grades 7 and 8, and Grades 9 to 12.
To enter, complete the Contest Submission Form and download the artwork template at www.CobourVotes.ca/youth. The deadline for submissions is July 31 at 4:30 p.m. Participants are encouraged to review guidelines and contest terms and conditions before submitting their artwork.
All submissions will be featured in an Art Gallery of Northumberland exhibition (with winning entries displayed prominently) to give everyone an opportunity to celebrate youth creativity and civic engagement.
Winning designs will be printed and shared with voters, who will be encouraged to wear their sticker and post a photo on social media.
The My Ideal Town essay contest invites students aged 17 and younger to submit a 350-word essay describing their vision for an ideal town. The young writers are encouraged to imagine what programs, services and community features they would like to see in the future.
Submissions are due by Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. (the actual date and time that polls close in this fall's election), and must include the full name of the young person submitting the essay, his or her age and/or grade, and the parent's or guardian's name and e-mail address or phone number.
Essays can be submitted to cobourgvotes@cobourg.ca or by mail to the Office of the Municipal Clerk, 55 King St. W., Cobourg K9A 2M2. Following the deadline, staff will compile all entries and submit them to the newly elected council for the 2026-2030 term.
One youth will be selected to read his or her essay at the inaugural meeting of the new council to share his or her vision for an ideal town, and all entrants will be invited to attend that inaugural meeting and stay afterward to meet these councillors at a reception.
For more information, contact the clerk's department at 905-372-4301 ext 9520 or e-mail cobourgvotes@cobourg.ca
Courtesy Cobourgvotes.ca