Application Guide
How to Apply for Pennsylvania State Lead
at Fair Elections Center
🏢 About Fair Elections Center
Fair Elections Center is a non-partisan organization that uniquely combines litigation, advocacy, organizing, and technology to protect voting rights, particularly for disenfranchised communities. Working here means joining a dedicated team that directly impacts democratic participation at the state level. The organization’s focus on both legal and grassroots strategies offers a dynamic environment for someone passionate about civic engagement.
About This Role
As the Pennsylvania State Lead, you will coordinate nonpartisan civic engagement programming across campuses, serving as the primary liaison for partner institutions and supervising student Democracy Fellows. This role is impactful because you’ll directly increase voter registration, education, and turnout among young and historically marginalized voters in a key battleground state. Your work will help build a sustainable democratic engagement infrastructure in Pennsylvania.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve checking in with student Democracy Fellows via video call to plan an upcoming voter registration drive, then meeting with a campus administrator to secure event space. Afternoon tasks could include drafting a partner communication about training resources, followed by travel to a local college for a tabling event. You’ll also monitor program metrics and report updates to the national team.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Fair Elections Center Is Looking For
- Has 1-2+ years of experience in civic engagement, grassroots organizing, or capacity-building programs, with demonstrated success in coordinating events or managing volunteers.
- Possesses superior written and oral communication skills, able to clearly convey nonpartisan messaging to diverse stakeholders including students, faculty, and administrators.
- Is based in Pennsylvania with reliable transportation and willingness to travel to campuses across the state for events and meetings.
- Has experience engaging diverse constituencies (e.g., communities of color, low-income voters, or students) and ideally has familiarity with higher education institutions and student organizing.
📝 Tips for Applying to Fair Elections Center
Tailor your resume to highlight specific examples of campus engagement or voter registration work, quantifying results where possible (e.g., number of students registered or events coordinated).
In your cover letter, explicitly mention your connection to Pennsylvania (e.g., living there, familiarity with its political landscape) and your commitment to nonpartisan work.
Research Fair Elections Center’s recent initiatives in Pennsylvania, such as their work with the Campus Vote Project, and reference them to show genuine interest.
Emphasize any experience supervising or training student interns or volunteers, as the role directly manages Democracy Fellows.
If you have experience with coalition-building or partner communication, provide specific examples of how you maintained relationships with diverse organizations.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your passion for voting rights and nonpartisan democratic engagement, especially for disenfranchised communities.', 'Specific experience in organizing or civic engagement that demonstrates your ability to coordinate programs and manage partners.', 'Your familiarity with Pennsylvania’s political and educational landscape, including any existing relationships with campuses or community organizations.', 'Your supervisory or mentorship experience with students or volunteers, showing you can effectively lead the Democracy Fellows.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review Fair Elections Center’s website, especially their Campus Vote Project and recent litigation or advocacy work in Pennsylvania.
- → Look into Pennsylvania’s current voting laws and any recent changes or challenges, such as voter ID requirements or mail-in ballot rules.
- → Familiarize yourself with the landscape of student voting in Pennsylvania, including key campuses and existing coalitions like the Pennsylvania Student Voting Coalition.
- → Read about the organization’s nonpartisan approach and how they differentiate from partisan get-out-the-vote efforts.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Suggesting partisan activities or expressing personal political views in your application or interview, as the role is strictly nonpartisan.
- Lack of specificity about Pennsylvania – avoid generic statements that could apply to any state; demonstrate local knowledge.
- Overlooking the supervisory component – failing to mention experience managing or mentoring students or volunteers could weaken your application.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Fair Elections Center!