The Democratic Party of DuPage County will sponsor an essay and poster contest with the topic of the importance of exercising the right to vote in the upcoming November general election.

The contest will be open to all DuPage County elementary, middle and high school students who are enrolled in any public or private schools in the county.

Students are asked to submit an essay or create a poster that best answers or represents the following statement: Describe or portray why it is important to exercise the right to vote in the upcoming 2008 general election.

 A first- and second-place cash prizes will be awarded for each school age child in elementary, middle and high school levels. Each first-place winner will receive $300, and each second-place winner will receive $100.

Posters can be of any medium, but no larger than 8 inches by 10 inches. Essays must be a minimum of 500 words, but no longer than 800 words.

All entries must mailed to or dropped off at the Democratic Party of DuPage County Headquarters, 1000-7 Rohlwing Rd, Lombard, IL 60148, by Monday, June 30. For more information, visit www.dupagedemocrats.com.

All finalists will be announced and prizes awarded at the upcoming DuPage Blue Fest Saturday, July 19, at Arabian Knights Farm, 6526 Clarendon Hills Road, Willowbrook.