Fall 2026 Undergraduate Intern, Candidate Races-NPAD

The ACLU seeks an Undergraduate Intern for the Candidate Races, Cross-Divisional team of the National Political Advocacy Department of the ACLU’s National office in Washington D.C. This internship is fully remote.

Qualifying applicants must currently be matriculated undergraduate students or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience and must be based in the U.S. for the entire duration of the internship.

The Team:

The National Political Advocacy Department (NPAD) builds power to achieve an accountable, representative democracy. We have ambitious goals across Reproductive Freedom, Democracy and Voting Rights, Systemic Equality, Immigration, Trans Justice, Criminal Justice and other core issues to protect and expand civil rights and civil liberties, and advance the freedom, equality, ability to prosper, and humanity of all People.

Our department conducts analysis, develops policy, crafts world class campaigns and situates the ACLU to have impact across legislative, administrative, and electoral levers. We are policy experts, lawyers, community organizers, lobbyists, campaign strategists, electoral specialists, program managers and more. We partner across the ACLU to drive national efforts, and support and amplify the priorities of our affiliates. We work to center principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in our approach.

The Cross-Divisional team is responsible for managing large scale, department wide projects including the ACLU’s Candidate Race and Ballot Initiative work on key issue areas.

What You’ll Do:

The Electoral Intern will be a crucial part of our team, supporting the strategy and implementation work of the Director of Candidate Races and Senior Electoral Strategists.

Your Day to Day

• Joining meetings with external partners and ACLU affiliates in electoral priority states; scheduling meetings, maintaining agendas, note-taking, other administrative duties 
• Compiling and circulating press clips for upcoming electoral priority states 
• Tracking and organizing electoral data (we have many spreadsheets) 
• Drafting written materials for paid/earned media 
• Researching candidates or electoral opportunities 

What You’ll Bring:

• A demonstrated/strong interest in electoral work, especially statewide and down-ballot elections
• Excellent written/verbal communication, research and interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, strong attention to detail, ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Strong computer skills, especially spreadsheet skills or familiarity with spreadsheets

   

Future ACLU-ers Will:

• Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
• Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
• Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflict

Internship Logistics:

• Location: Our internship program offers a limited number of remote or hybrid intern positions. This internship is fully remote.
• Time Commitment: Full-time (35 hours/week)
• Internship Duration: Full-time internships span 10 consecutive weeks. This internship has a start date of: September 8th or September 21st
• Stipend: A stipend is available for students who are lawfully authorized to work. Below are the stipend rates:
  • • $20/hr for undergraduate students or equivalent experience
    • $24/hr for graduate and law students or equivalent experience
  • This internship must be tied to the intern’s formal education program by integrated coursework or the receipt of academic credit

Priority Application Deadline: July 8, 2026

Why the ACLU:

For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people.

Our Commitment to Accessibility, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion  

Accessibility, equity, diversity, and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. For us diversity, equity and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities, but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change. We are a community committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization – one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether we’re in the courts or in the office, we believe ‘We the People’ means all of us. 

With this commitment in mind, we strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. 

To maintain the integrity of our assessment process, please refrain from using AI-powered chatbots, search engines, or real-time assistance tools to generate your CV, cover letter or writing sample (if required). We want to better understand your individual skills and thought processes. If you require AI tools or other assistive technology as a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please complete the Accommodation Request Form so that we can support an accessible and equitable experience.

In order to be considered for this position, all candidates must formally submit an application. The ACLU does not accept unsolicited calls or emails from candidates regarding their application status.