Voter protection efforts are underway and We The Action’s Democracy Legal Defense Network can help you find the best way to get involved.
From educating voters on their rights at the polls and protecting voting rights, to fighting voter suppression tactics and supporting election officials, there is a role for every We The Action lawyer.
Do you want to volunteer in your state?
For the following in-person volunteer opportunities, you must be licensed to practice law and/or be registered to vote in the state where the work occurs.
Staff Your Local Polling Place: Poll workers ensure we have safe, fair, efficient elections for all. Complete a poll worker application here.
Observe the Official Canvass: Volunteers will observe the official canvass and report on mass challenges to ballots and attempts to halt the canvassing process. Primary and General Election shifts are available in Michigan.
Be an Election Protection Challenger: Challengers have the right to hold the actions of poll workers accountable if the Challenger believes that the poll worker is not following the law. Primary and General Election shifts are available in Michigan.
Restore Voting Rights: File and defend pre-drafted modification motions in Florida.
Do you want to travel to protect the vote?
Voter protection-themed vacation? Yes! The following in-person opportunities are open to any bar license and residency. Out-of-state volunteers are welcome!
Serve as a Voting Rights Legal Monitor: Respond to voting rights issues at polling locations, take testimonies from affected voters as necessary, and complete site accessibility reviews. Primary and General Election shifts are available in Florida.
Serve as a Canvassing Board Legal Monitor: Attend, document, and advocate at county canvassing board meetings. Primary and General Election shifts are available in Florida.
Do you want to volunteer from your couch?
The following opportunities can be completed remotely. Some require a specific bar license or expertise.
Serve as an Election Protection Hotline Captain: Assist and coach volunteers staffing the nonpartisan Election Protection national voter hotline (866-Our-Vote). Captains are highly trained volunteers who have completed extensive volunteer shifts and shown comfort and familiarity with hotline resources and procedures. Apply here.
Staff Michigan’s Nonpartisan Election Protection Hotline: Hotline volunteers are responsible for answering calls and addressing voting-related questions and issues that arise in Michigan. (Open to attorneys licensed in any state)
Defend Election Officials: Help election officials facing threats, intimidation, or targeting for doing their jobs. Priority needs in Georgia. If you are not licensed in a priority state, you can join here.
Monitor County Commissioners Court Meetings: Help detect changes that would threaten voting rights or election security. County assignments are available in Texas. (Open to attorneys licensed in any state)
Ensure Every Eligible Vote is Counted: Virtually monitor county election certification hearing(s) and report back in real time if a county is refusing to vote or voting against certifying the election results. Primary Election shifts are available in Nevada. (Open to attorneys licensed in any state)
Restore Voting Rights: Prepare sentence modification motion packets to help returning citizens determine how much they owe in fines and fees, navigate the process, and clear the path to being able to register to vote. Lawyers on this project will not need to file these motions or appear in court.
Offer Consultations for Advocacy Nonprofits: State laws that apply to nonprofit advocacy and democracy work are confusing and complex. Support organizations working on voting rights at the state and local level.
Help Black-Led Community Groups Formalize Their Organizations: Guide partners from Black Voters Matter through incorporating and filing their 501(c)(3) applications. Attorneys who are licensed in Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Louisiana, Texas, and Tennessee are preferred, but not required.
Lawyers have the unique power to protect the integrity of our democracy in the face of relentless attacks to undermine it. Lawyers of all ages, experience levels, backgrounds, locations, and expertise can volunteer with the Democracy Legal Defense Network to protect and strengthen our elections year-round. Join the thousands of lawyers around the country who are defending the integrity of our democracy before, during, and after this year’s critical midterm elections.
Volunteering is more fun with a friend! Please forward this guide to lawyers in your community and encourage them to make a plan to volunteer this election season.
Thanks for doing your part to defend our democracy!
— Team We The Action