Ballotpedia, the Encyclopedia of American Politics, is recruiting individuals who are passionate about expanding access to fact-based political information to join the Summer 2026 cohort of our Ballotpedia Fellows Program. As a trusted, nonpartisan online resource, we provide voters and readers with reliable information on elections, governance, and public policy.
As a Ballotpedia Fellow, you will help expand our data-driven analysis of American politics. The Summer 2026 program will focus on conducting in-depth research on local candidates from across the country who will appear on the ballot in the 2026 midterm elections.
The Summer 2026 Ballotpedia Fellows Program will run from Tuesday, May 26, through Friday, July 24, 2026. Fellows are asked to contribute 5-10 hours per week, completed on a flexible and independent schedule to accommodate school, extracurricular activities, or other commitments.
Ballotpedia can provide documentation for community service hours, course credit, or other verification upon request (court-mandated hours cannot be counted). Fellows will need access to a computer or laptop and a reliable internet connection.
Requirements
- You are interested in politics and passionate about Ballotpedia’s mission to provide unbiased, factual information to voters.
- You are a strong self-starter who thrives in an independent, remote environment.
- You are curious about data and enjoy learning, even if you are new to data science.
- You enjoy research, and discovering new information excites you.
- Most importantly, you believe that every voter deserves access to reliable information at all levels of government.
Available Projects
Fellows may work on a variety of projects, including:
Local Candidate Research: Ballotpedia aims to cover every election in the country. As a Fellow, you will help build more complete local candidate profiles using the same research standards as full-time staff. Your work ensures that millions of voters have access to detailed information about the local candidates on their ballot. This includes gathering critical data points such as candidate endorsements, campaign themes, contact information, social media profiles and campaign websites.
Quality Assurance: Ballotpedia takes our commitment to quality and accuracy very seriously. Fellows help verify and validate candidate information entered by other volunteers. Some fellows will have the opportunity to review spreadsheets with candidate data to ensure data points are accurate and up-to-date.
Application and Onboarding Timeline
Application deadline: Sunday, May 10, 2026
Application Review: Rolling responses through May 20, 2026
Onboarding: Tuesday, May 26 - Thursday, May 28, 2026
To Apply
Interested applicants should submit their application, resume, and cover letter by selecting “Apply for this job” below and completing the form. This is an unpaid, volunteer position. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and offers are sent via email. Program capacity is limited, and positions are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Applicants may not hear from Ballotpedia regarding the initial status of their application until early February. For questions about the program, please contact Kaley Platek at fellows@Ballotpedia.org.
