WRITING CONTEST
The July 2026 - September 2026 prompt is based on
Voter Suppression
Your writing submissions for the July 2026 - September 2026 quarter should be centered on the following prompt:
Voting is often described as the foundation of democracy, yet for millions of people, casting a ballot is not as simple as it seems. Throughout history and into the present day, barriers such as restrictive voting laws, limited polling locations, misinformation, language access, disability accommodations, and unequal access to identification have shaped who is able to participate in the democratic process. This quarter, we invite you to explore the issue of Voter Suppression. Consider how obstacles to voting affect individuals, communities, and society as a whole, while reflecting on the balance between election security and voter accessibility. Whether you choose to examine historical events, current policies, or personal experiences with civic engagement, think critically about what it truly means for every voice to be heard. Don’t hesitate to draw from your own perspectives, research, and values to inspire your writing.
As always, we urge you to do some brief research. You can begin with the articles linked below! Happy writing!
RULES & SUBMISSIONS
WriteCause is accepting submissions on the Voter Suppression prompt until September 30th 11:59 PM ET, 2026.
This contest is open to people living anywhere. To enter you must be 12-18 years old.
The submission can be any form of writing including but not limited to: poems, short stories, and essays. However, we do not accept visual writing like graphic novels and black-out poetry. All the submissions must be in English. You may submit more than once.
Students may submit a piece individually, but are also encouraged to write collaboratively. WriteCause accepts writing pieces with more than one author. The number of authors will not impact the scoring process.
Pieces must be 6,000 or fewer characters.
Gold Pen, Silver Pen, and Bronze Pen winners, along with two honorable mentions, will be recognized on our website. The recognized writing pieces will be published in our Winners' Gallery. A WriteCause Certificate of Achievement will also be awarded.
By submitting your work to this contest you are giving consent for it to be published on the WriteCause website, newsletters, and social media. Please note you will still own rights to the work.
If you have any questions please email WriteCause at writecausecharity@gmail.com.