The Kentucky Secretary of State’s office has extended by two weeks the deadline for its annual essay and slogan contests.

The contests are an effort to expand civic awareness of students who will soon be eligible to vote in local, state and national elections. Entries for both programs must be either postmarked by December 16, 2013, or electronically submitted by 5 p.m. (EST) on that date.

To submit electronic entries and for more information, including rules, judging criteria and the essay prompt, visit http://www.sos.ky.gov/contests.

Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes will announce the winners—who will receive monetary awards—no later than the end of March 2014.