Voting Laws Research Coordinator, Voting Rights and Elections Program

The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that seeks to improve the systems of democracy and justice in the United States. We work to hold our political institutions and laws accountable to the American ideals of democracy and equal justice for all. Among our core priorities, we fight to protect voting rights, end mass incarceration, strengthen checks and balances, and preserve constitutional protection in the fight against terrorism. Part think tank, part advocacy group, part cutting-edge communications hub, we start with rigorous research. We craft innovative policies. And we fight for them — in Congress and the states, the courts, and in the court of public opinion.
Our Voting Rights and Elections Program advocates for free, fair, and accessible elections, with special focus on the ways systemic barriers impede electoral participation by communities of color. The past ten years have seen a brazen and widespread assault on the right to vote. Elected officials at the highest levels have deployed disinformation and misinformation to scapegoat communities trying to assert their rightful place in the electorate. And the Capitol attack made plain that some are even prepared to reject the use of elections as the arena to contest political differences. We meet these challenges, and others, head on. We do so with partners ranging from community-based organizations to election administrators to pro bono counsel.
Position Overview: 
The Voting Rights and Elections Program seeks a full-time Voting Laws Research Coordinator to join a cutting-edge, inter-disciplinary team working collaboratively to ensure that all U.S. citizens have free and equal access to the ballot box. The Coordinator will serve as a project manager for our ongoing research tracking and coding state voting legislation around the country. This will include managing our voting laws dataset, training others to code legislation, planning and producing written materials reporting on our research, and potentially developing and maintaining outside partnerships to expand our work. The Coordinator will also be required to provide logistical support for the day-to-day operations of the program. The Coordinator will report to a designated program manager, but may be assigned to work with a variety of team members as needed. 
Note: Brennan Center employees adhere to a hybrid schedule that is subject to change, with employees currently required to work in the office a minimum of three days per week, on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. While most employees follow this in-person schedule, there may be some positions that require additional in-office days. This position is based in New York City. It may require occasional travel as well.  

Responsibilities:

• Providing project management for our state voting legislation research, including logistical and administrative support as needed.

• Researching and tracking voting rights bills and laws for inclusion in the Voting Laws Roundup. 

• Researching potential academic partners for expanding our voting laws research 

• Developing, securing, and maintaining outside partnership(s) with an academic institution or institutions to expand our voting laws research 

• Training new program support staff or outside partners on bill tracking and coding. 

• Identifying tools and methods to increase effectiveness and efficiency of voting laws research team’s work

• Conceiving and executing new research based on our voting laws dataset, including with internal and external partners 

• Producing and supporting production of written materials summarizing our research, with opportunities for named authorship. 

Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree and at least 2 years of relevant experience are required 

• Working familiarity with voting laws, voting procedures, election administration, and state legislative procedure is a significant plus.

• Exceptional research, analytical, and writing skills, with a keen eye for details 

• A can-do attitude – proactive, solutions-focused with comfort in ambiguity and initiative to ‘figure it out’ 

• Strong drive and ability to take initiative, plan, prioritize (and, occasionally, pivot), and keep self and colleagues at various levels of seniority informed, organized, and on task in a fast-paced environment 

• Strong interpersonal skills and the desire and ability to build and maintain positive relationships within and outside the organization 

• Mature judgment, a problem-solving approach to challenges, a growth mindset in the face of setbacks, and ability to keep calm under pressure 

• Exceptional professionalism, integrity, discretion, and tact

• Enthusiasm to learn and advocate the work of the Voting Rights & Elections Program, including a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and in improving U.S. democracy

• Proficiency in MS Office including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. 

The Brennan Center is committed to advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace. We continuously work with our staff to find new ways to increase diversity and to build and cultivate an inclusive and equitable work environment, where everyone can be their true self and feel a strong sense of belonging. As such, we seek to hire employees who have a commitment to and/or experience with diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, we expect employees to participate/contribute with DEI initiatives or activities with recruitment, retention, and workplace culture. 
Applications:
Applicants will be interviewed on a rolling basis, and decisions will be made as soon as appropriate candidates are identified. We hope to expeditiously move through the recruitment process; therefore, we strongly encourage interested applicants to apply early. To apply, please visit  and upload the following application materials: (1) cover letter, (2) resume, and (3) contact information for three references, (4) a writing sample (up to 10 pages). 
Applications without all the previously listed materials will not be considered.
 
If you have difficulty with the online system, you may send your application by e-mail to: [email protected] with “Voting Laws Research Coordinator” in the subject line, after registering in the online system.
Compensation and Benefits:
The salary range assigned for this position is $73,000-$78,000. We determine our salary ranges based on market competitiveness and internal equity for each job. The salary offered to a selected candidate will be contingent upon the candidate’s qualifications and internal equity considerations. Additionally, we offer a very robust and competitive array of benefits such as a generous time off program, 401k plan, comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), and wellness and office perks.
In addition, this position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW local 2320.
Note: The Brennan Center is committed to public health and to the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and visitors. As such, we have adopted a policy requiring all employees working in the New York and Washington, DC offices to be vaccinated against COVID-19, including having a booster, or to meet the legal guidelines for an exemption. 
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