Policy and Advocacy Manager

Job Description

VoteRiders Policy and Advocacy Manager Job Description

Overview

Founded in 2012, VoteRiders is the country’s leading nonpartisan nonprofit focused on the increasingly crucial issue of voter identification. We implement voter ID education and assistance programs nationwide, with a particular focus on states with restrictive voter ID laws and centering the communities most harmed by voter ID requirements.

Our on-the-ground programs, partnerships, and digital campaigns raise awareness of voter ID laws, ensuring voters know what ID they need to vote in their state and providing completely free ID assistance to voters in need. Our programs identify, educate, and help voters with voter ID issues so they can vote confidently, knowing they cannot be turned away.

In the 2024 election cycle, our programs directly reached over 15 million voters. With voter ID laws continually on the rise, VoteRiders is expanding its work in 2025 to include nonpartisan policy and advocacy activities around this crucial issue.

For this reason, we are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Policy and Advocacy Manager to join our team. The Policy and Advocacy Manager will support the organization’s growing policy and advocacy program and, in particular, provide support on legislative, policy, and litigation priorities related to voter ID laws and in service of VoteRiders’ mission.

The Policy and Advocacy Manager will report to VoteRiders’ Legal Director. This individual will be the primary internal advocacy resource for VoteRiders staff, providing cross-cutting organizational and capacity-building support across our nationwide programs and working with the Legal Director to continually build VoteRiders’ role in coalition spaces related to voting rights advocacy.

The ideal candidate is committed to the essential need for and benefit of VoteRiders as a leading nonpartisan civic engagement organization and to voter ID education and assistance in particular. They will possess significant issue-area expertise on voter ID or voting rights more broadly and have substantial experience designing, implementing, and supporting policy and advocacy work.

VoteRiders is a fully remote organization, so this individual can be based anywhere in the continental United States, although candidates based in or willing to relocate to Washington, DC, are preferred. The position of Policy and Advocacy Manager is full-time and available ASAP.

Primary Responsibilities

National and State Voter ID Law Tracking and Analysis

• Develop deep knowledge and expertise in voter ID laws, with a particular focus on VoteRiders’ priority states.
• On an ongoing and continuous basis, research, analyze, and closely monitor all relevant legislation, litigation, and regulations pertaining to voter ID at the federal and state levels.
• Analyze trends in voter ID-related bills, legislation, and litigation across the country and provide regular updates and analysis to VoteRiders leadership and other relevant stakeholders.

Policy and Advocacy Program Support

• Assist in developing educational materials, including reports, policy statements, talking points, and fact sheets to educate policymakers, partner organizations, stakeholders, and the general public on voting rights issues.
• Draft legislation, testimony, position papers, and advocacy letters.
• Work closely with VoteRiders staff and partner organizations to effectively engage in coalition work around voter ID and voting rights advocacy.
• Oversee staff advocacy and lobbying work from a timekeeping and administrative perspective to ensure compliance with all relevant state and federal laws, including refining existing internal systems.

Legal Program Support

• Support the Legal Director in tracking and participating in relevant voting rights litigation.
• Assist the Legal Director in managing and expanding VoteRiders’ network of pro bono attorneys.
• In major election years, provide ad-hoc support to VoteRiders’ voter ID Helpline/Chat operations as needed.

Organizational Stewardship

• Tend to internal administrative items (e.g., emails/Slack, timekeeping, expenses, HR).
• Participate in internal activities (e.g., full team meetings, brainstorms, debriefs, culture-building activities, and regular check-ins with your supervisor).
• Engage in organizational and team-wide professional development/learning opportunities.
• Plan and facilitate meetings, including creating and leading agendas and providing effective post-meeting summaries.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned, including assisting with overall organizational efforts and priorities on an ad-hoc basis.

Qualifications

Required

• Graduate degree or Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of relevant work experience in a nonprofit, law firm, legislative body, or similar organization.
• Prior voting rights experience.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Experience developing deep knowledge and subject matter expertise, ideally in voting rights matters.
• An entrepreneurial spirit and an interest in working on a small team in a quickly expanding organization.
• Highly responsive, able to multitask, meet deadlines, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-motivated and resourceful, with a history of problem-solving and following through without direct supervision.
• Commitment to the mission and values of VoteRiders.
• Ability to work in a nonpartisan manner.
• Experience working with diverse communities and a commitment to racial equity and social justice.
• Ability to work collaboratively, even with people holding differing perspectives.
• Consistent access to a reliable computer, internet, and telephone.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite, Google Suite, and the ability to learn new software.

Preferred/Plus

• Law degree or advanced degree in public policy.
• Familiarity with 501(c)(3) and lobbying compliance rules.
• Spanish language skills.
• Experience with Legiscan.

Compensation

Compensation is commensurate with experience, with an anticipated starting salary range of $70,000–$95,000 annually, depending upon experience and qualifications.

VoteRiders offers comprehensive benefits, including:

• Health benefits.
• Generous paid time off policies.
• Home office and equipment stipends.
• A Calm meditation app subscription.

Opportunities for merit-based salary increases are available annually via an organization-wide performance evaluation process.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

VoteRiders is committed to diversity among its staff. VoteRiders is an equal-opportunity employer. All employment decisions are based on our mission and program needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or any other legally protected basis.

VoteRiders will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination or harassment.

To Apply

Send a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references to [email protected]. References will not be contacted without your permission.

Include in the subject line: your last name and “Policy and Advocacy Manager.” Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Priority consideration will be given to applicants who apply by February 10th.