The Contra Costa County Elections Division is kicking off the 2018 election season in a fun, unique way. The office is holding a photo contest for county residents to submit their best pictures for the cover of its Voter Information Guides in June and November 2018.
“Getting our residents involved in the election process a year before Election Day is a way to keep them engaged in local issues and pique their interest in voting,” Registrar of Voters Joe Canciamilla said. “It is also a way to highlight some of the artistic talent of our residents.”
The cover of the Contra Costa Elections voter guide features a photo highlighting the beautiful sights and history of the county, which enhances the voters’ experience. The theme for the June 2018 is “Civic Life in Contra Costa County.”
The Elections Division will now be taking submissions and will continue until midnight on August 6, 2017.
The photos must be submitted digitally along with a description of no more than 75 words. They should be sent in tiff or jpeg format.
Photos may be sent in color or black and white. However, photographers should be advised that they will be printed on the cover in black and white. The winner will have their photo featured on the cover of the booklet, which goes out to over 600,000 registered voters in Contra Costa County. First, second and third place winners will also have their photos featured in our office lobby and on other elections publications.
The Elections Division first held a photo contest for the cover in 2016, receiving almost 50 entries from residents. Some of those submissions are featured on the Contra Costa Elections Website, www.contracostacore.us.
“It was really exciting to win. I received a lot of professional accolades from my fellow photographers,” said Michael Cohen, the winner of the June 2016 Photo Contest. “I will definitely point people in the direction of participating.” Joseph E. Canciamilla County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters Scott O. Konopasek Assistant County Registrar
Silvia Ledezma, the winner of the November 2016 Photo Contest, says that her photo turned out to be more meaningful because several people in the community told her about the history of the ship in her picture.
“I really just took the picture for the aesthetics, but I wound up engaging in these other levels of conversation. I like history, so it was quite nice,” Ledezma said. “It was refreshing. I felt like I really contributed to the community.”
There is no entry fee.
More information, including photo submission forms, are available on the Contra Costa Elections Website, www.contracostacore.us.
