The Texas Civil Rights Project’s Voting Rights Program tackles the systemic issues that suppress democratic participation in Texas — from voter registration to the moment when an individual cast their ballot. Through litigation and advocacy, TCRP fights to turn the tide on the state’s abysmal voting rights record by removing barriers to voter registration, supporting grassroots voter mobilization efforts, and opposing new attempts to suppress voting.
We are organizing a bold, Texas-size program for the 2020 election that will fearlessly and tirelessly work to ensure a free and fair vote. As a critical element of that work, we are a part of the Texas Election Protection Coalition: dozens of grassroots organizations that work year-round to ensure that all eligible voters in Texas can cast a ballot that counts. Our efforts include responding to voters’ questions and concerns received through the Election Protection toll-free hotline and other sources, training and deploying legal and grassroots volunteers who monitor conditions at polling locations during Early Vote and on Election Day, using digital tools to connect with voters, and having legal counsel on hand to fight for voting rights in court. For the November 2020 election we are also connecting volunteers with opportunities to serve as poll workers.
TCRP seeks one temporary Election Protection Visiting Legal Fellow to support our program.
As part of the Voting Rights Department, the Election Protection Visiting Legal Fellow will report to the Senior Attorney that manages the Voting Rights Election Protection Program. The fellow will work closely with the other Election Protection Legal Fellows, the Voting Rights Program’s staff attorneys, and our Community Engagement Department, which manages the outreach and communications components of our Election Protection program.
To apply, please follow application details within this link.
**PLEASE NOTE: This is a temporary position that begins immediately and ends on November 20, 2020.**
Location: Remote. TCRP will operate remotely for the remainder of 2020. TCRP will provide laptop and IT support, as well as stipends for mobile phone use and office equipment.
Overview of Key Responsibilities
The Election Protection Visiting Legal Fellow will support the overall Election Protection program and will be responsible for the following, in particular:
Manage TCRP’s Election Protection Early Voting program:
● Manage the Intake Center throughout the 18-day Early Voting period. The Intake Center receives and responds to reports of voter questions and concerns through the Election Protection hotline, poll monitors and via digital channels. The Legal Fellow will be responsible for the successful operation of the Intake Center, ensuring that all reports are addressed and overseeing volunteers staffing the Intake Center. This work may include conducting trainings for legal volunteers.
Support the Election Protection legal team by monitoring and responding to election administration issues:
● As part of the Early Voting and Election Day programs and as requested by EP legal team members, the Legal Fellow will support Election Protection in the following ways: identifying and responding to problems affecting the right to vote; conducting legal research and analysis on federal, state, and local election laws; responding to requests for voter assistance; conducting outreach to elections officials; helping draft reports or testimony; and engaging in other related activities as identified by the Election Protection legal team. This work may also include attending public election administration hearings, and tracking and analyzing data for reporting to our coalition, Board of Directors, Leadership, and other stakeholders.
Support TCRP’s Election Day Election Protection program:
● The Legal Fellow will support the Election Day program by managing the successful operation of Election Protection in a specific region of the state, and/or other related responsibilities as they arise. This will include overseeing a team of volunteers, responding to reports from the hotline, poll monitors, and via digital channels; monitoring trends in the region throughout the day; identifying and implementing strategies for resolving issues that arise in the region, with support from the leadership team.
Work collaboratively across TCRP teams
● Coordinate with the full TCRP Voting Rights team, the TCRP Community Engagement Department, and partner organizations, as requested.
About TCRP
At TCRP, we are Texas lawyers for Texas communities, boldly serving the movement for equality and justice in and out of the courts. We use our tools of litigation and legal advocacy to protect and advance the civil rights of everyone in Texas and we partner with communities across the state to serve the rising movement for social justice. We undertake our work with a vision of a Texas in which all communities can thrive with dignity, justice and without fear.
We are proud of our work, welcome innovative thinkers, and offer flexibility to different people’s styles and strengths. Learn more at www.texascivilrightsproject.org.
Compensation
TCRP will pay a stipend based on years of experience, with a starting rate of approximately $1,200 per week.
How to Apply
To apply, please follow this link.
We will be reviewing applications as soon as we receive them, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Inclusion & Non-Discrimination at TCRP
TCRP values a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture — women, people of color, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people from other underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, age, creed, religion, physical ability, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation, previous incarceration, veteran status, union membership or activism, or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law. TCRP offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits, professional development opportunities, and a deep commitment to a meaningful work-life balance.
Ideal candidates should have the following characteristics:
● JD required, though bar results not required at the time of hiring.
● Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
● Excellent legal research skills and ability to communicate legal information to non-lawyers.
● Experience organizing, managing, and deploying volunteers.
● Experience with program management and/or advocacy work is a plus.
● An understanding of the current voting rights landscape (and in Texas, a plus), as well as a passion to make it better.
● Ability to read, write, and speak in Spanish is a plus.
● Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and effectively juggle multiple projects and priorities while remaining nimble.
● Ability to take initiative, solve problems, and quickly jump onto urgent matters as they come up.
● Excellent interpersonal skills, including maturity, keen judgment, the ability to facilitate challenging conversations and to work collaboratively with people from a wide array of backgrounds and perspectives and across projects.
● Ability to help create a positive atmosphere in a high-energy, fast-paced work environment and to model professionalism and resilience when disappointments arise.
● Patience, gravitas and a high tolerance for ambiguity.
● Ability to work as many hours as the job necessitates, which may require busy periods of more than 40 hours a week and occasional evening and weekend work.
**This list of criteria is neither exhaustive nor exclusive. It is meant to encourage rather than discourage applications. Applicants should highlight unique experiences and qualifications not captured by the description above.**