Legislative Assistant

Legislative Assistant

Full Time At-Will Employment As Soon As Possible

About Us Mississippi Votes (MS Votes) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization driven by young people committed to advancing civic engagement, voter education, and advocacy for equitable voting rights policies in Mississippi. Through grassroots organizing, research, and community-driven advocacy, we cultivate a culture of civic participation and democratic accountability across the state.

Position Overview

The Legislative and Policy Associate is a critical member of MS Votes' Policy and Research Team, supporting the organization's legislative advocacy, voting rights policy analysis, election protection efforts, and suffrage restoration work.

This role involves research, policy tracking, coalition engagement, and direct voter support, including assisting with MS Votes' Election Protection Hotline and guiding individuals through the suffrage restoration process. The ideal candidate is passionate about democracy, social justice, and advancing equitable policies for historically marginalized communities.

This position supports each member of the Policy and Research Team, collaborates across departments, and engages with elected officials, community organizations, and advocacy coalitions.

Key Responsibilities

Legislative and Policy Research

• Monitor, track, and analyze state and federal legislation related to voting rights, civic participation, and democracy reforms.
• Research on voting laws, ballot access, election integrity, and voting-related legislation, including voter ID laws, absentee voting, early voting, and redistricting.
• Prepare policy briefs, fact sheets, reports, and talking points to inform MS Votes' advocacy efforts.
• Draft public comments, testimonies, and official statements on relevant legislation and policy proposals.
• Track local, state, and federal bills and provide legislative summaries to the Policy and Research Team.

Support for the Policy and Research Team

• Policy Director: Assist with executing MS Votes' overall policy agenda, drafting legislative updates, and coordinating policy campaigns.
• Advocacy and Outreach Coordinators (2) – Each responsible for four policy portfolios:
  • Conduct research and policy analysis to support their policy areas.
  • Assist with policy-related events, public forums, and town halls.
  • Provide content for advocacy materials tailored to their portfolios.
• Policy and Research Analyst (Focus: Rights Restoration & Voting Rights Laws/Legislation):
  • Support rights restoration efforts through policy tracking, case documentation, and research.
  • Assist with the suffrage application process, ensuring individuals have accurate resources and guidance.
• Voting Rights Coordinator (Focus: Election Protection):
  • Assist in Election Protection Hotline operations, answering voter inquiries, troubleshooting election-related issues, and escalating concerns.
  • Provide research and logistical support for voter education initiatives.

Election Protection & Suffrage Restoration

• Election Protection Hotline: Answer voter inquiries, address concerns related to voter ID, absentee voting, polling place issues, and other election-related matters.
• Hotline Data Tracking: Analyze trends from hotline calls to inform advocacy strategies.
• Suffrage Restoration Support: Guide individuals through the rights restoration application process, including completing forms, tracking cases, and providing policy updates.
• Advocacy for Legislative Reform: Assist in advocating for policies that streamline and improve the suffrage restoration process.

Advocacy and Coalition Engagement

• Assist in developing and executing legislative strategies in collaboration with the Policy Director.
• Attend legislative hearings, committee meetings, and public forums, providing summaries and strategic recommendations.
• Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, government agencies, and advocacy organizations to advance equitable voting policies.
• Represent MS Votes in coalition meetings, advocacy working groups, and policy strategy discussions.

Community & Youth Mobilization

• Help organize advocacy campaigns, lobby days, town halls, and community listening sessions.
• Support grassroots organizing efforts by educating young voters on legislative issues and civic participation.
• Assist in developing civic education programs that increase public awareness of voting rights and legislative processes.

Cross-Team Collaboration

• Work with the Communications Team to create voter education materials, press releases, and social media content on policy issues.
• Provide policy insights and research to the Organizing Team to inform voter outreach strategies.
• Collaborate with the Operations & Finance Team to support grant reporting and documentation of advocacy efforts.

Election Season Responsibilities

During peak election periods, this role will have additional responsibilities:

• Expanded Election Protection Support: Increased hotline coverage, assisting voters with real-time election issues.
• Poll Monitoring & Rapid Response: Assist with polling place issue escalation and coordination with legal partners.
• Community Engagement Blitz: Assist with intensified voter education efforts leading up to Election Day.
• Legislative Monitoring: Track any legislative or administrative actions that may impact voter access.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in political science, public policy, law, social sciences, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Demonstrated knowledge of state and federal legislative processes related to voting rights and democracy.
• Strong research and analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex policy information.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience drafting policy materials.
• Experience in grassroots organizing, advocacy, coalition-building, or legislative engagement.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and legislative tracking tools.
• Passion for youth civic engagement, racial justice, and equitable democracy.

Position Details

• Salary: $50,000 annually
• MS Votes offers a competitive benefits package covering 50% of employee medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums, and 100% of mental healthcare costs.
• Location: Jackson, MS

Reports To:

Policy & Research Director

How to Apply:

Apply on our Careers page at

Mississippi Votes is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply regardless of race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, height, weight, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, marital or domestic partner status, or religious affiliation.

Young people, People of Color, Women, and LGBTQ+ folx are strongly encouraged to apply.