The Polk County Bar Association

Law Day Committee

POETRY COMPETITION WINNERS 2005

View Law Day Winning Poems

Law Day is celebrated to highlight the American heritage of liberty, justice, and equality under the Law.

WE THE PEOPLE IN ACTION: EXERCISE THE RIGHT TO VOTE

This year’s theme explores the history, opportunities and current challenges to voting rights in Iowa, the United States and abroad.  Student entries illustrate or reflect an aspect of current or historical voting rights issues.  Possible topics included: racial struggles for equal voting rights (the Voting Rights Act of 1964); the women’s suffrage movement, especially those Iowa women who were instrumental in this struggle (the 19^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution); continuing barriers to voting rights for certain people (some immigrants, convicted felons); get out the vote campaigns (“Rock the Vote”); and international voting rights issues (Iraq, Ukraine and Afghanistan). Students were also asked to address other aspects of voting rights and responsibilities that he or she thinks are relevant.