Georgetown, Del., Sept. 25, 2012: Sussex County students have a chance to prove the political pundits right or wrong in this year’s election season. And it could pay off, as well.

Sussex County once again is sponsoring its Election Year Scholarship Contest for local students. As in elections past, students will be asked to predict which candidates will win office in the upcoming general election, set for Nov. 6. The student with the most correct predictions will win a $200 scholarship, while five runners-up will each win $100 scholarships.

The scholarships will be paid upon each student’s enrollment in college or another post-high school educational program. The County Council first created the contest for the 2000 election. Funding will come through councilmanic grants, as well as from the Moore & Rutt law firm.

“This is a fun way to engage children and get them thinking about the sacred civic duty that awaits them someday,” County Administrator Todd F. Lawson said.

Students 18 and younger who live in Sussex County are eligible to participate. Entrants will be asked to predict the winners of 24 national, statewide and county races; the student with the most correct guesses will win. To break a tie, entrants will be asked to guess how many votes the winner of this year’s race for Delaware governor will collect in Sussex County. Winners will be announced once election results are certified.

For complete rules and to enter, log on to sussexcountyde.gov/election-contest.

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