You, the Voter
How Far Have We Come? Is the Journey Over?
2020 David A. Garfinkel Essay Topic
Open Only to Bronx Community College Students in Business Law, Criminal Law, and Paralegal Studies Courses
QUESTION 1
WINNING THE RIGHT TO VOTE
Trace how voting, once the privilege of the elite, became the right of all citizens. Discuss the American journey to “one person, one vote” or focus on how a specific group or groups of Americans won the vote.
QUESTION 2
BARRIERS TO VOTING
Are some state legislatures limiting “one person, one vote” by passing laws that act as barriers that make voting difficult for some citizens?
QUESTION 3
ELECTION DISTRICT BOUNDARIES
How do state legislatures enhance or diminish the principle of “one person, one vote” by redrawing voting districts? Is there a better way?
Introduction to the David A. Garfinkel Essay Scholarship
PRIZES
Scholarship prizes will be awarded at the end of the fall semester and spring semester in an awards ceremony. Each semester, the top prize is $1,500 with runner up prizes of $750 and $500. Honorable mentions will also be awarded.
ELIGIBILITY
The Scholarship is open to all students enrolled in Bronx Community College taking Business Law, Criminal Law, or Paralegal Studies in the Fall 2019 and/or Spring 2020 semesters.
DEADLINE
The deadline for the spring semester of the 2020 Garfinkel Essay Scholarship is March 31st to your professor. Your professor will select essays for submission to the Historical Society of the New York Courts for entry into the Scholarship!
RULES
Essays must be between 1,500 and 5,500 words. Your essay must also contain original writing and research.