Application Guide

How to Apply for Virginia State Lead

at Fair Elections Center

🏢 About Fair Elections Center

Fair Elections Center is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to dismantling barriers to voting and building an inclusive democracy, particularly for underrepresented and marginalized communities. They work at the intersection of civic engagement, higher education, and policy advocacy, offering a mission-driven environment where your work directly impacts voter access and participation. Joining means being part of a team that values equity, collaboration, and grassroots change.

About This Role

As the Virginia State Lead, you will be the on-the-ground coordinator for civic engagement programming across Virginia, managing partnerships with colleges, universities, and community organizations. You'll supervise Democracy Fellows, support Voter Friendly Campus initiatives, and ensure nonpartisan voter education reaches students and marginalized communities. This role is impactful because you're directly empowering young voters and building the infrastructure for long-term civic participation.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a check-in call with Democracy Fellows to plan an upcoming voter registration table at a university, followed by a meeting with a campus administrator to discuss Voter Friendly Campus designation. Afternoon could involve drafting nonpartisan voter guides, coordinating logistics for a coalition partner event, and analyzing turnout data from a recent drive. Evenings might include attending a virtual coalition meeting or reviewing fellow reports.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Fair Elections Center Is Looking For

  • Someone with 1-2 years of hands-on experience in civic engagement, organizing, or capacity building, ideally within a nonprofit or political campaign setting.
  • A strong communicator who can craft clear, nonpartisan messaging and build relationships with diverse stakeholders, from campus administrators to community coalition partners.
  • Self-motivated and organized, with the ability to manage multiple projects, travel across Virginia, and supervise student fellows effectively.
  • Familiarity with Virginia's political landscape and higher education institutions is a plus, as is experience engaging underrepresented communities.

📝 Tips for Applying to Fair Elections Center

1

Highlight any direct experience with voter registration drives, campus organizing, or coalition building in Virginia, even if it was part of a volunteer role.

2

Emphasize your ability to work nonpartisanly—mention specific examples of how you've provided neutral voter information or worked across party lines.

3

Tailor your resume to show quantifiable impact, like number of students registered or events coordinated, and include any experience supervising or mentoring interns/fellows.

4

In your cover letter, connect your personal motivation for civic engagement with Fair Elections Center's mission of inclusivity and equity.

5

If you have experience with Voter Friendly Campus or similar programs, make sure to call it out explicitly.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your commitment to nonpartisan, inclusive democracy and experience working with underrepresented communities.', 'Specific examples of coordinating civic engagement programs or events, especially in a higher education setting.', 'Your ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse partners, including campus administrators and community organizations.', "Your willingness to travel across Virginia and your familiarity with the state's political and educational landscape."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review Fair Elections Center's website, especially their 'Programs' and 'Resources' pages, to understand their current initiatives like Voter Friendly Campus.
  • → Look up recent news or press releases about Fair Elections Center's work in Virginia or similar states to see their impact and partnerships.
  • → Familiarize yourself with Virginia's voting laws and recent changes, such as same-day registration or mail-in voting rules.
  • → Check out the organization's social media to see how they communicate with partners and the public.
Visit Fair Elections Center's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach building a relationship with a skeptical campus administrator about nonpartisan voter engagement?
2 Describe a time you managed a project with multiple stakeholders and tight deadlines. How did you ensure success?
3 What strategies would you use to recruit and supervise Democracy Fellows effectively?
4 How do you ensure your voter education materials are nonpartisan and accessible to all students?
5 Given Virginia's diverse regions (e.g., rural vs. urban), how would you adapt programming to meet different community needs?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't express partisan political views or advocate for a specific candidate/party—this is a nonpartisan role.
  • Avoid being vague about your experience; provide concrete examples of organizing or civic engagement work.
  • Don't underestimate the travel requirement—be honest about your ability to travel across Virginia regularly.

📅 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:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Fair Elections Center!

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