Winner Announced in League of Women Voters High School Contest

Gabrielle DeSena of Council Rock High School North was announced the winner of the 2020 High School Senior Poster Contest on April 30 by the League of Women Voters of Bucks County. The theme of this year's poster contest was "What Voting Means to Me." Entrants were asked to use their original art to display their feelings about voting and the democratic process. Gabrielle's poster includes an image, much like Lady Liberty, who is holding a ballot, with the message, "We are all responsible for our liberty. Vote!"

Contest entries were judged by a panel of three judges including Andrea Thompson, the Arts Education Manager at the Michener Art Museum, Jerry Swope, Chair of the Department of Media Studies, Journalism and Digital Arts at Saint Michael's College in Vermont, and Janeth Hendershot, Co-President of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania.

Phoebe Mang, a senior at Pennridge High School, was awarded Honorable Mention for her poster responding to "What Does Voting Mean to You.” Katherine Woerner, a Palisades High School senior, was awarded Honorable Mention for her poster "Use Your Voice."

The contest was launched as part of the ongoing work of the League to encourage active participation in our democracy. Youth play a critical role in participation in our democracy, as they care about issues and are learning how voting relates to those issues. According to the Pew Research Center, youth born from 1997 and onward, meeting age and residency requirements, will make up to ten percent of the entire eligible voting population by the November 2020 presidential election. These young people, identified as Generation Z, very possibly will be one-in-ten to exercise their franchise – up from four percent in 2016.

Generation Z and Millennials combined will make up 37% of the voting population, becoming the largest voting age cohort with the most significant potential voting power in 2020. The proportion of the voting power of these two generations is expected to increase. Just how strong the influence of these groups will be will depend on voter turnout.

Gabrielle DeSena's winning poster, as well as those of Phoebe Mang and Katherine Woerner, displayed a call to action to peers to engage and vote. For those who will be 18 years of age by June 2 and will have been U.S. citizens and residents of their current address for 30 days prior, register to vote by visiting the League of Women Voters' www.Vote411.org. A First Time Voters checklist, personalized ballot, candidate-provided information and polling locations can also be found at Vote411. Those who would rather register by mail can call the Bucks County Board of Elections at 215-348-6154. May 18 is the deadline to register or change name or address on a previous voting registration. Important voter information, including links to videos demonstrating how to use the new voting machines, can be found on the official site of Bucks County, www.buckscounty.org. Visit www.lwvbucks.org to see contest posters, find voter information, and learn more about the League.