Fall 2026 Internship - News Team

Democracy Docket Internship Program

Democracy Docket is the leading pro-democracy, independent digital media platform dedicated to voting rights and elections in courtrooms and across the country. Founded in 2020 by Democratic voting rights attorney Marc Elias, Democracy Docket is a reliable source of news that delivers detailed analysis and expert commentary on voting rights and election litigation and policy that will shape our elections and democratic institutions for years to come. As an independent newsroom, Democracy Docket is committed to fact-based journalism that informs the public and holds power accountable.

With a comprehensive database of over 1,000 cases, Democracy Docket tracks and reports on the latest election- and voting-related litigation, providing court filings, in-depth analysis, and up-to-date developments on proceedings across the country.

We offer free daily and weekly newsletters to our over 400,000 subscribers as well as a premium membership with exclusive content. Our social media presence continues to grow with over 1 million total followers across our channels, including 600,000+ YouTube subscribers.

Through breaking news updates, long-form analysis, and op-eds from elected officials, legal experts, and voting rights advocates, Democracy Docket is committed to strengthening our democracy by helping people better understand the greatest challenges facing voters and our democratic institutions.

Internship Program

Our interns are embedded directly into Democracy Docket's teams, where they gain hands-on, professional experience and contribute to meaningful projects. Interns also receive mentorship, regular feedback, and professional development opportunities to support their career growth.

Democracy Docket's News team is seeking a driven fall intern to contribute to our journalism coverage of democracy, voting rights, and election law. You'll have the opportunity to pitch and publish your own work while supporting the day-to-day operations of our newsroom.

Responsibilities

• Pitch and write original stories, including breaking news and longer-form pieces
• Assist with research, fact-checking, and interview coordination
• Support day-to-day newsroom operations, particularly around quick-turn assignments
• Help develop stories where additional reporting capacity is needed

Qualifications

We're looking for students who are:

• Currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate student, ideally studying journalism, political science, or a related field
• Strong writing, reporting, and communication skills
• Ability to work quickly and accurately under deadline pressure
• Interest in democracy, voting rights, and/or election law

Program Benefits

• $20/hour compensation
• Flexible work schedule (15–20 hours/week)
• Located in or able to commute to Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday weekly
• Direct mentorship and regular 1:1 check-ins with a staff host
• Access to Democracy Docket programming, staff events, and professional development opportunities
• Hands-on experience contributing to a national media platform

How to Apply: Submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your interest in Democracy Docket and the internship track(s) you're most interested in. Please indicate your availability for the Fall 2026 term.

Compensation: $20/hour (Part-Time, 15–20 hours per week)

Duration: September 15 – December 11