Common Cause

Election Protection Organizer, Illinois (Temporary)

Common Cause  •  Illinois (Onsite)  •  5 days ago
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Job Description

We are looking for a collaborative and energetic Election Protection Organizer to join the Common Cause team in Illinois. This is a key role supporting our work to grow and diversify our audience and volunteer base as we work to engage millions more in our fight to protect and strengthen democracy in advance of this significant upcoming election.   
  
This role is at the intersection of community and democracy. You will work with various communities across the state to expand our growing membership base through recruitment efforts and by engaging members in our Election Protection programming. You will also support our comprehensive Election Protection training and serve as a first point of contact for volunteers and members. This role will help ensure thousands of Illinois voters have access to accurate information and safe voting experiences during a high-stakes election cycle.
  
This is a full-time, temporary role reporting to the State Director, IL; this role is based in Illinois, with an expectation meet in person with the State Director and/or travel around Illinois at least 3 days per week (up to daily travel during peak times). This role will start on August 1, 2026 and will end December 15, 2026.
Responsibilities
Engage members in our Election Protection efforts 
  • Support recruitment and trainings for members and volunteers to serve as volunteers for election administration advocacy, early voting, election day, and post-election activities, and support recruitment and engagement in activities after Election Protection
  • Assist in developing and leading engaging Election Protection trainings for members, volunteers, and community partners 
  • Participate in engaging, nonpartisan education and outreach activities to expand awareness of our work 
  • Engage in state and/or multi-state campaigns and mobilizations to defend voting rights 
  • Assist in developing and disseminating Election Protection-related educational resources and toolkits using traditional (print, tv, etc.) and digital communication platforms 
  • Support the implementation of systems to manage Common Cause members and volunteers for early voting and election day, including sign-up and placement of volunteers, calling volunteers to engage or re-engage them, etc. 
  • Support collection and reporting of data and information from voters, volunteers, partners, election officials, and other sources
  • Share Election Protection educational materials to our social media pages to engage members and share accurate information about elections 
  
Build and maintain relationships with community partners and elected officials 
  • Act as a representative of Common Cause in various coalitions 
  • Monitor and engage with Boards of Elections and local election officials across counties to discuss voter access and election administration during early voting, election day, and post-election 
  • Build relationships with key stakeholders and host community meetings to understand current barriers to voter participation 
  
Administrative and other duties  
  • Complete administrative tasks as needed  
  • Perform other duties as assigned 

You will thrive in this role if you have: 

  • A strong commitment to Common Cause’s nonpartisan mission and to advancing civil rights through our pro-democracy agenda 

  • A commitment to equity in the goals of your work and in how you work with others  

  • Openness to feedback and awareness of your own strengths and areas for growth  

  • Ability to build relationships and credibility with multiple stakeholders with diverse interests, and a track record of working collaboratively with others    

  • Interest in public advocacy campaigns and mobilization efforts  

  • Interest in democracy issues, including voting rights, redistricting, campaign finance reform, disinformation, ethics, etc., with a demonstrated interest in the unique aspects of Illinois’ political dynamic 

  • Ability to meet deadlines for multiple projects at once, with attention to detail, and a resourceful approach to solving problems  

  • Strong written and oral communication skills  

  • Familiarity with office productivity tools including Microsoft Office, Slack, and Zoom 

The following is required:

  • Ideally, you have experience supporting the growth of membership bases and/or have worked on an issue-based or political campaign 

  • Ability to travel 1-2 times per year for team and/or all staff retreats  

  • Ability to work in-person in the state office or at various locations around the state at least 3 days per week, and up to daily during the peak of our season 

  • Flexibility to work evenings and weekends 

  • You must have access to a vehicle to transport election materials (miles driven on official business in your personal vehicle will be reimbursed at the federal mileage rate) 

  • Willing to have a social media presence on behalf of Common Cause, including being tagged on posts and creating content on behalf of the organization (as needed, Common Cause may provide accounts for staff members to use)   

  • Per our nonpartisan policy, Common Cause staff members may not currently be in elected office (or running for office); on the Steering Committee or Finance Committee for any political candidate; or affiliated with the leadership of a political party

Additional Information about this role:

  • This position is classified as temporary and therefore not included in the union-represented collective bargaining unit

  • Common Cause is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time; please note that if hired, you will be asked to produce documentation for authorization to work in the US

Common Cause is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants of any race, creed, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, income class, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or marital status, as well as applicants who have been previously incarcerated.
Common Cause (501(c)(4)) and Common Cause Education Fund (501(c)(3)) are nonpartisan, nonprofit grassroots affiliate organizations dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy. We work to create an open, honest, and accountable government that serves the public interest; promote equal rights, opportunity, and representation for all; and empower all people to make their voices heard in the political process.  
   
Founded in 1970 and headquartered in Washington, DC, Common Cause has members and supporters living in every congressional district in the United States, and offices in 23 states around the country. 
Common Cause

About Common Cause

Common Cause is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to restoring the core values of American democracy, reinventing an open, honest and accountable government that serves the public interest, and empowering ordinary people to make their voices heard in the political process.

Industry
Nonprofit & NGOs
Company Size
201-500 employees
Headquarters
Washington, DC
Year Founded
1970
Website
commoncause.org
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