Fall Legal Externship

Remote, can be performed anywhere in the United States.

Fair Elections Center is a national, nonpartisan, non-profit voting rights and election reform organization based in Washington, D.C. Our mission is to use litigation and advocacy to remove barriers to registration and voting, particularly those disenfranchising underrepresented and marginalized communities, and to improve election administration.

The Center litigates voting rights cases in federal and state court and engages in a wide variety of advocacy efforts, including: drafting state legislation to protect and expand voting rights and submitting testimony in support of positive reforms; advocating to defeat voter suppression bills and rules; producing reports, talking points, and fact sheets on election modernization proposals and issues affecting voters of color and members of language minority groups; updating our state voter guides for all 50 states; and working directly with Secretaries of State and local election officials to ensure that the right to vote is protected and expanded. We provide election law expertise to state-based civic engagement coalitions, college campuses and their students, and community organizations that need help as they plan their programs, encounter problems, and engage election officials.

Position, Duties & Responsibilities

Fair Elections Center is seeking current law students with strong academic credentials and a demonstrated commitment to civil rights and/or voting rights for a Fall 2024 semester externship. The Center has an expanding litigation docket, including pending challenges to Virginia’s arbitrary voting rights restoration scheme for people with felony convictions, Arizona’s new citizenship checks for voter registration which will impede naturalized voters’ participation, and a Wisconsin law mandating the rejection of absentee ballots for minor technical defects.

The intern’s primary responsibility will be to support the legal team’s work to identify and respond to legal and administrative obstacles to voter participation. Duties will include legal research and writing for pending and future voting rights litigation, legislative advocacy, and reports; investigating relevant legal, rulemaking or legislative proceedings for legal violations; and interacting with election reform organizations and key elections officials to advocate for changes that will protect the right to vote.

This is a great opportunity for exposure to election law and cutting-edge voting rights litigation for someone who is a self-starter and comfortable handling significant responsibility. Must possess strong legal research and analytical skills, as well as strong written and oral communication skills. Ability to meet deadlines is required.

This externship position requires a minimum of 10 hours per week, with an option for up to full time hours, and requires the extern to obtain academic credit through their institution for the position. Interns work remotely, though the legal team is based primarily in Washington, D.C. and periodically meets in person.

Fair Elections Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity in our work environment and believe it furthers our mission to create and preserve an inclusive democracy for all voters and underrepresented and marginalized communities in particular. Applicants from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

To apply, email your cover letter, resume, and writing sample to Patrick Williamson at pwilliamson@fairelectionscenter.org. For more information, please visit www.fairelectionscenter.org.

Fall Legal Externship

Position, Duties & Responsibilities

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