The Question:
The three branches of the federal government were established as co-equal with a system of checks and balances. Should these separate branches of government continue to be co-equal? What could be the benefits or consequences if one branch has more or less power than the other branches?
The Rules:
- Please explain your answer in 600-1,000 words, submitted as an attachment in Word or PDF, and emailed to info [at] lwvhelena.org by midnight on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.
- Judged on creativity, content, and spelling/grammar.
- On a separate cover sheet, please include your name, email address, phone number, school name, and grade level.
- $500 first place
- $300 second place
- $200 third place
Members, friends, neighbors, parents, and teachers!
SUPPORT THE BARB HARRIS STUDENT ESSAY CONTEST!
We thank longtime LWV member Barb Harris for her generous support of the LWVHA Student Essay Contest, making it possible to honor winning students with a monetary award.
If you would like to contribute to the Student Essay Contest Fund, please send a check to Helena LWV, PO Box 6534, Helena, MT 59604 and include a note that you want the funds deposited in the LWV Education Fund. We will send you an acknowledgement and you will also receive a tax-receipt from the LWV Education Fund. Please let us know if we can thank you on this webpage or if you prefer to remain anonymous.
For more information, send an email to info [at] lwvhelena.org.
DOWNLOAD THE FLYER AND SHARE WITH A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT!
