2027-2029 Legal Fellowship (Voting Right Project)

About the organization:

Fair Elections Center is a non-partisan organization dedicated to defending, expanding, and facilitating voting rights. We use advocacy, litigation, organizing, education, and technology to protect and expand the right to vote, understanding the particular impact on disenfranchised, underrepresented, and marginalized communities. Through our unique partnerships with hundreds of campuses across the country, we are able to empower millions of new voters to participate in our democracy. Our litigation and advocacy efforts across dozens of states allow us to anticipate and counteract threats to free and fair elections.

About the Voting Rights Project:

Fair Elections Center’s Voting Rights Project (VRP) litigates cutting-edge voting rights cases in federal and state courts around the country. VRP also engages in a wide variety of legislative and administrative advocacy efforts. The legal team also provides election law expertise to state-based civic engagement coalitions and community organizations on election law issues as they plan their programs, encounter problems, and engage election officials.

Position Description:

Fair Elections Center is seeking a current law student, recent law school graduate, or judicial law clerk with a background or strong interest in civil rights, voting rights, or election reform to join the Voting Rights Project as a Legal Fellow for the 2027-2029 fellowship term. Working collaboratively with the legal team, external partners, and programs across the organization, the Legal Fellow will support cutting-edge voting rights litigation, legislative and administrative advocacy, and other strategic initiatives that protect and expand access to the ballot. This position reports directly to the Litigation Director.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct in-depth legal research for pending and future litigation, including the factual investigation and plaintiff searches necessary to initiate cases.
• Draft legal memoranda, complaints, motions, briefs, discovery requests, and open record requests.
• Review relevant proceedings and documents for legal violations.
• Participate in litigation activities, including arguing motions and taking depositions, as appropriate.
• Collaborate with election reform organizations and key election officials in support of litigation and advocacy efforts.
• Engage in our legislative and administrative advocacy by working with partner election reform, registration, and mobilization groups to advance legislation, rules, and administrative practices that expand voter participation and to oppose voter suppression measures.

Qualifications:

• The applicant must hold a Juris Doctorate by the summer of 2027 and have taken or plan to sit for a bar in any state prior to the start of the fellowship.
• Strong academic credentials with demonstrated strengths in legal research, analysis, and writing.
• Excellent written, verbal communication and advocacy skills.
• Passion for the defense of civil rights and voting rights, with a strong interest in an inclusive democracy.
• Familiarity with election and voting laws, barriers to voter participation and election reform initiatives is preferred.

Location and Compensation:

This is a full-time remote fellowship expected to begin in August or September 2027 and end in August or September 2029. Some travel will be required to attend in-person meetings and events. The starting salary for this position is $65,000. Fair Elections Center offers generous employer paid health, vision, and dental insurance, 3 weeks of vacation, and a 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

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 for underrepresented and marginalized communities in particular. Applicants from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

As part of this commitment, Fair Elections Center will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact Kristina Moore at kmoore@fairelectionscenter.org.

• This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change slightly or be added depending on the needs of the Organization.

Fair Elections Center offers generous employer paid health, vision, and dental insurance, 3 weeks of vacation, and a 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution.