Win up to $8,000 in essay contest for 2022 Graton Prize in Constitutional Law
The University of Maine Department of Political Science is accepting essays for the 2022 Graton Prize in Constitutional Law, which comes with a grand prize of up to $8,000.
Participants must compose 2,000–5,000-word essays that answer one of five questions related to constitutional law by drawing — where appropriate — from the intent of the framers of the U.S. Constitution, actions of Congress or the executive branch, or landmark decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court. Any regularly enrolled undergraduate student may enter the contest. The department is offering up to five awards, one for each question.
Applicants may choose to answer any one of the following questions:
- Does the Supreme Court need more justices? What constitutional authority would permit expanding the court? Which constitutional values would be served by doing so? Which would be threatened?
- Under what circumstances and to what extent is it constitutionally permissible for the federal government to require mandatory vaccinations?
- Is there a constitutional right to birth control? What are the broader constitutional stakes involved? E.g., how does the question implicate the class of rights ostensibly protected by substantive due process, or the common law doctrine of stare decisis?
- Is the judiciary the appropriate branch of government to guarantee individual rights and liberties? Or are rights sometimes best defended by the political branches? What distinguishes these cases? Were they anticipated by the framers of the nation’s constitution?
- Is executive privilege a power from which only a sitting president can benefit? Can a former president invoke executive privilege even when a sitting president has waived it?
Essays must be submitted in hardcopy to 229 North Stevens Hall by noon on March 21. Participants must include a complete bibliography and proper citation in their essays.
For questions about the contest, contact Robert Ballingall, assistant professor of political science, robert.ballingall@maine.edu.