PONTIAC — Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson and Patriot Week co-founder Oakland Circuit Court Judge Michael Warren announced a statewide essay contest for kids to encourage them to learn about the importance of voting.

“We couldn’t think of a more appropriate time to kick off the essay contest than just before our Independence Day holiday,” said Johnson, a member of Patriot Week’s advisory board. “We really want to encourage young people to look at what makes America great, our founding principles and how the right to vote — to have your voice heard — is so critical to maintaining our freedoms.”

The essay contest is open to Michigan students in grades six through 12. In 400 words or less, students are asked to answer this question: “How does a citizen’s right to vote help make America the greatest country in the world?”

Warren and his daughter, Leah, 13, co-founded Patriot Week in 2009 as a means to celebrate America’s core principles and history in a meaningful way. Today, many state institutions, from courts to schools, now recognize Patriot Week (www.patriotweek.org) and the celebration of Patriot Week is marked in several other states. Patriot Week is anchored by two key dates in American history — Sept. 11, the anniversary of the terrorist attacks, and Sept. 17, the anniversary of the signing of the Constitution.

“Secretary of State Ruth Johnson’s sponsorship of a Patriot Week essay contest is a great way for our students to learn more about the blessings of liberty,” Warren said. “This is an important step in furthering the cause of Patriot Week and renewing the spirit of America.”

Essay winners will be announced during Patriot Week celebrations in September. Winners will receive a certificate of recognition, a small patriotic-themed gift and be featured in statewide news releases.

Essays, limited to 400 words or less, must include a title, the student’s name, grade (as of September 2012), address and contact information, including phone number and email address. The deadline for entries is midnight Aug. 10. Students can submit their essay on the Secretary of State website at www.michigan.gov/SOS or by mail at:

Michigan Secretary of State Essay Contest

Office of Communications

Richard H. Austin Building, 4th Floor

430 W. Allegan St.

Lansing, MI 48918