The contest is organized by the Ninth Circuit Public Information and Community Outreach (PICO) Committee. High school students will have the opportunity to win cash prizes.
The 2026 Ninth Circuit Civics Contest prompt "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness—Your Voice. Your Story. Your America." challenges you to choose one of these enduring rights—Life, Liberty or the Pursuit of Happiness—and tell us: (i) why this was essential in 1776, (ii) how this right impacts you, your family or your community today; and (iii) what should we do to protect or improve this right moving forward? The contest is open to high school students in the western United States, Guam and Northern Mariana Islands. Eligible participants include students in grades 9 through 12 who attend public, private, parochial, or charter schools, as well as home-schooled students of equivalent grade level. A student does not have to be a U.S. citizen to participate. Children of federal judges, chambers staff and employees of federal court offices are not eligible to participate. Entries will be accepted beginning January 7, 2026. Deadline for entries is 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on March 6, 2026.
Contest rules are available at: https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/civicscontest.
The United States District Court for the District of the Northern Mariana Islands will conduct a local contest to select finalists for the circuit-wide competition. The top three finishers in the essay and video competitions at the local level will receive prizes of $300 for 1st place, $200 for 2nd place and $100 for 3rd place and then go on to compete in the circuit-wide contest. Students must reside in the Northern Mariana Islands. For more information about the district contest, please contact: Justin Poon – (670) 237-1200 / justin_poon@nmid.uscourts.gov.