A Saturday that starts a career.
One day. One mock county. Every delegate files for an office, campaigns, faces the same questions as everyone else, wins or loses, takes the oath, and governs — all before dinner.
Rising juniors and seniors, 16–18. Nominated by a teacher or counselor, or self-nominated — no one is shut out for lack of a nominator. Sponsored by the county chapter (registration, lunch, materials).
No party, platform, or issue position is used anywhere in the program. No candidate for any office serves as faculty, judge, or counselor during an election year.
Two delegates from each Youth County advance to a one-day statewide assembly (virtual in year one): a mock state filing week and a mock committee hearing on a bill that is not actually pending anywhere.
For students under 20. An 8–10 minute prepared oration on some aspect of the U.S. or Washington Constitution as it bears on the duty to serve, then a 3–5 minute speech on an assigned constitutional topic drawn at the contest. Judges score delivery, organization, and understanding — never the position taken; the rubric says so.
Chapter finals in January; state final at the February Empty Ballot List release. Prizes: $250 chapter / $1,000 state in year one — confirm.
For Youth County alumni who are graduating seniors or current college students. Criteria: academic record, community service, and a short essay on a constitutional topic. Selected by a committee with no relative of any applicant and no candidate for office. One state award and one per chapter, announced at the Filing Week Summit in June. Funded by the League’s lifetime giving tiers.
Awards begin when the fund can sustain them; the amount is published each January.
Thank you. Your county chapter will contact the parent or guardian within two weeks with the program date, the consent form, and what to bring. If more students are nominated than the day can hold, delegates are chosen by lottery within each school.
One guide covers Youth County, the research project, Future Voter sign-up, and what the League is and is not.