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VOTER ACCESS DIRECTOR

ABOUT OHIO

Over the next two years, Ohio Democrats (ODP) will build an organization to win highly-consequential elections up and down the ballot. With new leadership comes a new vision for our Party, refocusing on the core fundamentals that move the needle. ODP is building back better as a focused, modern, and nimble force to elect Democrats statewide now and in the future.

Ohio must re-elect Senator Sherrod Brown in what will be the nation’s top targeted race in 2024. The battle to maintain the Senate majority will be fought in Ohio. 2024 also offers the chance to take control of the Ohio Supreme Court, make gains in the state legislature, and defend three battleground congressional seats.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The Voter Access Director will build an innovative, data-driven statewide plan to address the entire continuum of barriers to casting a ballot that will count in Ohio. A strong voter protection and access program has become increasingly important with the rise in Republican attacks, both nationally and locally on our fundamental right to vote and our voting systems. This includes overseeing and recruiting Voter Access volunteers; planning for and overseeing the election observer program; planning for and overseeing the voter protection ballot curing program; educating staff, volunteers, and voters on new voter ID laws; communicating with local election administrators; building relationships with county party leadership; recruiting and training volunteer attorneys, and meeting all requirements to credential attorney volunteers for the election window. The Voter Access Director will conduct this work in coordination with the ODP’s Ohio Promote the Vote Committee.

The ideal candidate is an excellent communicator who thrives under pressure and is willing to do what is necessary to get the job done. This person ideally has legal experience, particularly as it pertains to election law, and also a deep understanding of campaign management.

ROLE OVERVIEW:

  • Directly manage, coach, and train a team of protection volunteers across Ohio
  • Implement and execute a robust voter protection plan, including ballot curing program and statewide voter hotline management
  • Identify key election administration and voter officials, and build and maintain relationships with key BOE members, elected officials, and grasstops
  • In cooperation with the Data Director, utilize rigorous standards for data collection and use within the NGP/VAN and LBJ platform
  • Map strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities across Ohio focused on Democratic Boards of Election Chairs, and County Party activities
  • Develop and direct Voter Photo ID education programs, including train the trainer programs to strengthen our county team leaders and voter contact efforts
  • Promote volunteer leadership at every level of the campaign, with an eye towards building sustainable and permanent grassroots activism
  • Grow our network of legal volunteers through various tactics, including 1:1 meetings, events, phone calls, and texting
  • Build and maintain strong, trusting relationships with Ohio Promote the Vote leaders, local party leaders and activist groups
  • Other projects as needed

CORE COMPETENCIES:

  • 3+ cycles of experience in statewide organizing, political, or voter protection
  • Expertise with NGP/VAN platform, LBJ experience a plus
  • Strong strategist and planner with the ability to break a complex program into clear trackers, budgets, and timelines
  • Team builder and coach by nature – must have the personality and patience to bring a complex network of stakeholders into a unified work plan
  • Talented manager of people and time – management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple people, projects, and competing priorities
  • Excellent in interpersonal skills and building and maintaining relationships with a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders
  • Conflict and crisis management experience with proven, clear decision-making ability
  • Clear, effective, high-quality writer
  • Highly communicative – responsive to internal and external requests, emails, and calls, within reason
  • Multitasker – Able to juggle multiple activities yet not lose focus on top priorities or let something slip through the cracks
  • Committed to the values and practices of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace with the ability to take feedback and learn
  • A passion for training – developing leadership of staff and volunteers is second nature.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

  • Passionate and thoughtful about what and how they do work and whom they work with;
  • Resilient, resourceful, and adaptive to priority shifts and change (big and small);
  • Kind but willing to apply soft elbows when needed;
  • Realistic but positive in outlook, not ego- or turf-driven, able to focus on opportunities when faced with challenges;
  • Collaborative by nature;
  • Fully invested in the success of Ohio Democrats.

To apply, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/c54SkHSj7MeYyuym8

The salary will be $7,000 per month and full benefits including PTO as needed, health, dental, and voluntary vision insurance. The hourly expectation will fluctuate depending on the campaign cycle, but will be a minimum of 40 hours per week. Housing will not be provided.

Ohio Democrats recognize our success requires a diverse mix of talented people. We are focused on building a staff that is diverse in race, gender and gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin and all the other fascinating characteristics that make us different. Candidates of color, women, LGBTQI, and more are encouraged to apply.