We The Action’s Guide to Election Protection Opportunities for Lawyers

Do you want to volunteer in your state? 
For the following volunteer opportunities, you must be licensed to practice law and/or be registered to vote in your state of residence. 

• Serve as a Poll Monitor: Support voters at the polls, answer questions, and connect those denied the ballot to legal resources. Shifts are available in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin.

• Observe the Official Canvass: Volunteers will observe the official canvass and report on mass challenges to ballots and attempts to halt the canvassing process. Shifts are available in Pennsylvania and Michigan.

• Be an Election Protection Challenger: Challengers have the right to challenge the actions of poll workers if the challenger believes that the poll worker is not following the law. Shifts are available in Michigan. 

• Monitor County Board of Commissioner Meetings: Document discussion or action taken on election related matters. Shifts are available in Nevada. 

• Go to Court to Protect People’s Right to Vote: Address issues flagged by poll monitors, contact county elections officials and, if necessary, go to court. Shifts are available in Pennsylvania.
• Join your Neighbors as a Poll Worker: Check voters in at polling places and show them how to use the voting equipment. Shifts are available nationwide.

• Serve as a Poll Monitor: Support voters at the polls, answer questions, and connect those denied the ballot to legal resources. Shifts are available in Arizona, Florida, Michigan, Nevada, Texas, and Wisconsin.
• Conduct Polling Site Audits: Assist across multiple polling locations, ensure legal compliance of the location so every eligible voter has the chance to cast their ballot. Shifts are available in Nevada.

Do you want to volunteer from your office (or couch)?
The following opportunities can be completed remotely. Some require a specific bar license or expertise. 

• Serve as Captain for National Voter Hotline: The 1-866-Our-Vote hotline aids voters with problems and guides them throughout the voting process. Captains support volunteers as they help voters. Apply for this leadership position here. 

• Support Election Officials: Provide election officials with pro bono legal help in response to the increasing wave in harassments, threats, and state laws subjecting them to criminal penalties for performing their jobs. Priority needs in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. If you are not licensed in a priority state, you can still join here. 
• Protect Whistleblowers: Support government employees who choose to blow the whistle on election interference and threats to democracy. Priority needs in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin.

Over 1,700 We The Action lawyers have already donated $8M worth of legal services to nearly 30 organizations working to make the 2024 elections safe, secure, and accessible for every voter. The next two months are even more critical. Early voting is about to begin in some states, and most election protection opportunities will be filled by early October.

If you want to learn more about our nonpartisan election protection volunteer opportunities, join our next webinar on Tuesday, September 17 at 3:00 PM ET. Our nonprofit partners at All Voting is Local, American Constitution Society, Black Voters Matter, Common Cause Florida, and Common Cause Texas will be sharing Election Day plans and volunteer needs.

Finally, volunteering is more fun with a friend! Please forward this email to lawyers in your community and encourage them to sign up for an election protection shift today! 

Thanks for doing your part to protect and preserve our democracy.

Sincerely,
Katie Waldo

Managing Director, We The Action

P.S. Still can’t decide? Schedule a call to chat about volunteer opportunities with We The Action’s Community Manager, Oakey Daskas.