All Voting is Local - Wisconsin
About the role
The Democracy Defense & Election Protection Fellow will support Wisconsin’s Democracy Defense and Election Protection programs leading up to and immediately following the November election. Working closely with the Wisconsin State Director and Campaign Team, the Fellow will assist with election monitoring, coalition coordination, legal and policy research, rapid response preparation, election official support, and administrative planning for statewide election protection efforts. This position is ideal for a law student, Master of Public Administration student, political science graduate student, or someone pursuing a career in election administration, public policy, government affairs, nonprofit advocacy, or public service.
This fellowship provides hands-on experience in: election administration, democracy defense strategy, election law and policy, coalition building, crisis response, government relations, communications strategy, nonprofit advocacy, and project management. Fellows will work directly with election administrators, attorneys, advocacy organizations, state agencies, and national democracy organizations.
Ideal candidate: dependable and highly organized; enjoys solving complex problems; wants meaningful public service experience; comfortable juggling multiple priorities; can remain calm under pressure; works well with individuals across the political spectrum; believes in professional, nonpartisan election administration.
Potential projects (ownership assigned to the Fellow): Election Threat Tracker – maintain and summarize election-related incidents and emerging risks across Wisconsin; Election Official Resource Library – organize guidance, legal memos, best practices, and support materials for clerks; County Certification Dashboard – track canvass meetings, certification timelines, and observer assignments; Rapid Response Research – develop background memos and fact sheets for emerging election issues; Coalition Operations – coordinate meeting logistics, agendas, notes, and follow‑up actions for Democracy Defense and Election Protection partners; Election Day Situation Reports – compile updates from observers, partners, and election officials into concise briefings for the team.
Responsibilities
- Track emerging election-related threats and misinformation trends
- Conduct legal and policy research on election administration issues
- Assist in developing rapid response materials
- Help prepare briefing memos for staff and partners
- Support coalition meetings by preparing agendas, notes, and follow-up items
- Assist with statewide election monitoring efforts
- Help coordinate communications with election observers and volunteers
- Monitor Election Day developments and compile reports
- Support post-election certification monitoring activities
- Maintain situational awareness during key election periods
- Coordinate meeting logistics
- Draft meeting summaries
- Maintain partner contact information
- Help prepare newsletters and partner updates
- Assist with stakeholder outreach
- Research election administration best practices
- Assist in developing resources for municipal and county clerks
- Support planning for trainings and convenings
- Help maintain communication with election officials
- Maintain project trackers
- Organize files and research
- Assist with event planning
- Prepare presentation materials
- Other duties as assigned