Join FairVote's Internship Program

FairVote's Summer 2012 intern team and Executive Director Rob Richie visit the Department of Justice

FairVote's year-round internship program provides an opportunity for those with an interest in electoral reform and election research to work on substantive projects. Each intern is paired with a staff member to achieve specific goals, but is also exposed to the broader workings of FairVote—including legal work with law students, research, communications, advocacy, website development, fundraising, and blogging.

Interns are given opportunities to build their skills and knowledge base, as well as opportunities to attend workshops and seminars and hear from guest speakers. Because we are a small, yet ambitious organization, our internships are substantive, with interns often doing work that is featured in our education and advocacy outreach. Our positions are ideal for self-starters, as interns have the flexibility to work in areas in which they are most interested—be it research, activism, communications, or design.

Internships are typically unpaid, although we will pay for daily commuting costs and provide at least one free lunch a week. We are also willing to work with interns to meet requirements for receiving academic credit and/or outside funding, and will consider stipends for interns bringing specific skills such as website design and videomaking.

Working at FairVote

As one of our nation's leading democracy organizations with a particular focus on bold, change-oriented electoral reforms, FairVote seeks applicants for its Internship Program on a rolling basis. Through innovative research, effective communications, and strategic advocacy, FairVote works to upgrade outmoded electoral rules and practices to ensure respect for every voice and every vote.

Some reforms you may be familiar with that we work on: instant runoff voting, universal voter registration, proportional voting for fair representation of legislatures, a constitutional right to vote, and a national popular vote for president. Our office is conveniently located in historic Old Town Takoma Park, two blocks from the Washington, D.C. Takoma Metro Station (red line).

Types of Internships

• Research: Interns will work closely with staff and fellows to provide research support. Tasks may include preparing research reports, contributing to the blog, revamping issue areas of the website, and analyzing election results. Interns also have the opportunity to get involved with advocacy, social media, outreach, and fundraising. Interns should be currently undergraduates, graduate students, or recent grads with a demonstrated commitment to voting rights issues and electoral structural reform. Experience with Microsoft Word and Excel is required, and excellent writing skills are expected. Social science research and statistical experience is highly preferred, and website and graphic design skills a plus.

• Advocacy: Interns will work closely with fellows and staff to do various forms of outreach and communication, including but not limited to: assisting volunteers advocating for election reform on the local level, media relations, online organizing including email actions, list building, supporter management, social media, and blogging. Interns should have strong written and verbal communication skills, as well as an outgoing personality. Prior knowledge and experience with either social media or advocacy a plus. Interns should possess a demonstrated commitment to voting rights issues and electoral structural reform.

• Legal: Interns will work closely with fellows and staff to actively engage in research, writing legal memos, and assisting in writing amicus briefs. Interns also have the opportunity to get involved with advocacy, social media outreach, and fundraising. The ideal legal intern is a 2L or 3L who has excellent research and writing skills. Interns must also have a strong interest in promoting voting systems that achieve an alternative to winner-take-all systems. Furthermore, interns should possess a demonstrated commitment to voting rights issues and electoral structural reform.
  

Applying

Applications for the spring are now closed. We are currently accepting applications for the summer on a rolling basis until March 15, 2013. Applications should consist of a cover letter, a current resume, and a short writing sample (no more than 5 pages), emailed to hr@fairvote.org.

Note: Summer internships are particularly competitive, so we recommend that you apply early.