Amherst College Intern for Democracy Internship

Role: Intern for Democracy Internship, Amherst College and Common Cause Partnership 

Location: Hybrid or Remote  

Start Date: By June 15  

Reports to: State or Department Lead, general questions can be directed to youthprograms@commoncause.org  

Hours will be determined by intern and staff supervisor. 

Essential functions:  

Common Cause is seeking several interns to support or state offices and national departments. This is an exciting to work towards making a more inclusive and representative democracy, while growing your skillset and knowledge of the legislative process, government affairs, communication, and advocacy. This is a chance to learn and grow at a non-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy.   All interns will need to have access to Wi-Fi and a computer.

Communications Intern (National) 

• Drafting communications materials, including blog posts, letters to the editors, social media posts, fact sheets, talking points, and other items on Common Cause’s key national and state campaigns;  
• Creating template communication tools for state and national staff;  
• Organizing and promoting events including media briefings and webinars;  
• Creating website and social media content, including blog posts, graphics, one-pagers, videos, or other content; 
• Maintaining the communications team press lists and other media databases;  
• Educate and engage voters so they are informed about the 2024 elections and any changes to the voting process. This includes developing educational materials and social media materials, working with local organizations to provide elections support, and/or mobilizing our members.  

State Intern (California, Florida, Hawaii, Minnesota, New York, or Texas) 

Each state office will have specific needs but here’s a few things to give you a general idea of what your workplan may include. 

• Policy and or Legislative 
  • Engage with your community and recruit volunteers to testify or engage in advocacy around voting rights issues in the state legislature and/or locally.  
  • Conduct policy research and assist in finding content and citations for reports and other written materials. 
  • Assist with analyzing data and research to support legislative initiatives 

• Communication and Social Media 
  • Gain experience in content production such as social media graphics, videos, blog posts.   
  • Gain experience creating graphics, videos, blog posts and gathering multimedia content.  

• Election Protection 
  • Immerse yourself within your community to form community-based coalitions focused on election protection work 
  • Assist with election protection webinars and trainings 
  • Assist with analyzing election protection data  

• Membership Engagement  
  • Keep our members informed & engaged via drafting CauseNets   
  • Assist in pulling together and overseeing calling and writing campaigns  
  • Support with phone banking  
  • Build skills in effective external outreach through social media  
  • Cohost virtual trainings and events for general membership base and for Student Organizing Series (CA) 
  • Support the goals of student programming initiatives including recruitment and events 

• Development 
  • Collaborate with Development Team to raise funding for programs and outreach 
  • Outreach to major donors and organize events to raise small-donor engagement 
  • Donor and foundation prospect research 

Media & Democracy Program intern (National) 

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is interested in the innerworkings of artificial intelligence, election disinformation, and broadband accessibility. This is a chance to learn and grow at a non-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy.    

Skills you will build and work you will be involved in:  

• Conduct research and design materials for artificial intelligence, election disinformation, and broadband accessibility for lawmakers.   
• Engage with coalition partners, activists, and other stakeholders on relevant issues in technology policy.  

Youth Engagement Intern (National) 

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is interested in virtual programming about voting and elections, redistricting, and democracy reform for our youth base and other young people. The intern will assist with advocacy campaigns, grassroots engagement, communications, and/or member outreach and events.    

Skills you will build and work you will be involved in  

• Plan  engaging virtual programs for young people (Instagram lives, webinars, etc.)  
• Manage posting content to various social media platforms.   
• Translate aspects of our Youth Programs work into content that can be shared on social media  

Base Qualifications for all Positions

You will be a good fit for this internship if you have:  

• An interest in data analysis  
• A passion for learning about elections, government affairs, and the legislative process  
• A desire and an ability to work in a non-partisan manner   
• A willingness to build your organizational skills and attention to detail  
• A willingness to build your writing and listening skills  
• A willingness to learn new skills  

College Requirements: 

To participate in the program and receive funding, you must commit to participating in all program components, and accept an internship that conforms with Charles Hamilton Houston Internship Program funding eligibility requirements. Please book an appointment via Handshake with Micah Owino to learn more. 

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

To Apply: Please complete the application here by Monday, April 1, 2024. Note that you will be asked for your resume and a cover letter. If you are moved forward in the process, additional details about the interview process will be shared with you by the hiring team.   

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.  

About Common Cause  

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 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 more than 1.5 million members (about the population of New Hampshire) and supporters living in every Congressional district in the United States, and offices in 30 states around the country.