Constitution Day Events Feature Essay Contest, Speaker

The main event of this year’s Constitution Day events will be a talk by alumna Franita Tolson (’01) entitled “The Long Shadow of Voter Suppression: Time for a Reckoning?” at 6 p.m. Sept. 17.

Tolson is a professor of law at the University of Southern California. Her talk will be available via livestream with limited seating in Magruder Hall 1000 as well as on Zoom. She has suggested those interested in her talk read this article beforehand. Following Tolson’s presentation there will be a panel discussion with faculty and student contributors.

This year will also feature an essay contest based on this prompt: How could the United States improve participation in national, state or local elections? Essays should be 500 words or less, and must be submitted by before midnight Sept. 13. Up to three winners will be announced at the speaker event. All winners will receive a prize from the Truman Bookstore (an approximately $50 value). The Civic Engagement Committee will review all entries. Essays will be judged based on how well written the essay is in addition to its actionability, creativity and the use of evidence.