Elections Staff Writer (Remote)

The Position

Ballotpedia seeks a full-time, 100% remote Staff Writer to join our Elections Team. Ballotpedia’s Elections Team researches, curates, and neutrally presents the basic facts and data about tens of thousands of races and candidates in every two-year cycle, with primaries and local elections happening somewhere in every month of every year. This consists of extensive research, direct outreach to external sources, data entry, data analysis, writing/using process documentation, and content creation. 

To succeed in this position, you must have the ability to find obscure data, organize it effectively, and record it accurately on a consistent basis. You must have a drive and desire for innovation and flexibility, as well as the ability to identify and solve problems proactively. Adapting to changing tasks and tools is key. You must be comfortable with data entry, rote work, work tracking, and the use of a database and spreadsheets. You must be able to write about complex topics in a neutral, clear, and concise manner.

Above all, to succeed at Ballotpedia, you must be self-aware and personally invested in constant improvement. As a Staff Writer, you must have a passion for creating a delightful experience for Ballotpedia’s readers, and you must strive to develop expertise in your subject and the inner workings of the Elections Team’s mission-driven work.

Responsibilities

As an Elections Staff Writer, you will:

• Contribute to the full election coverage lifecycle (election date research → creating election overview articles → covering candidate filing deadlines → election content build-up → adding election results on election night → updating with certified results → processing officeholder swearings in/out)
• Conduct systematic, efficient research to collect data related to officeholders, candidates, and elections while seeking out the best possible sources to ensure data quality
• Use and master complex tools such as templates, spreadsheets, and our database
• Maintain a quality focus while handling high-volume rote activities such as data entry
• Use and generate complex documentation to perform key tasks, following carefully laid out processes, systems, and procedures as assigned by your supervisor
• Understand which content requires standardization and which requires originality
• Innovate to improve work processes and to enhance content quality
• Generate content about complex topics in a neutral, clear, and concise manner; learning and mastering Ballotpedia’s neutral point of view policies 
• Write promotional material about Ballotpedia’s content
• Learn from and apply feedback given by others, such as in Master Classes
• Edit and proofread content effectively, efficiently, and consistently, taking into account multiple perspectives to unearth new improvement opportunities
• Gain subject matter expertise over time in an area of focus
• Interact with co-workers, customers, and the media in a professional, helpful, and pleasant manner
• Some Elections Team members also specialize in one of the following:
• Recall election coverage
• Federal court coverage, including judicial news monitoring, confirmations, and SCOTUS cases

Skills

An ideal Elections Staff Writer will have:

• A demonstrated passion for Ballotpedia’s mission
• Knowledge of the United States political system and elections
• Experience with data entry work, databases, or spreadsheets
• Excellent organizational skills, professional writing and proofreading ability, and familiarity with the use of style guides; Ballotpedia has its own style guide that is based on the AP Stylebook
• Some prior experience as a professional writer and/or editor

• Enjoyment in organizing their own lives and the world around them
• The ability to learn quickly and adjust to changes easily
• The ability to contribute to a positive and open team environment
• The ability to look at our content from different points of view
• The ability to detach from their writing and apply a high degree of critical scrutiny to their own work
• Interest in or experience using AI tools to increase productivity

Environment

The Elections Staff Writer will work remotely from their home location. All Ballotpedia staff work remotely. To join Ballotpedia, you must have a computer with Internet access. Ballotpedia uses the Google Suite (Gmail, Google Calendar, Drive, and more), Slack, and Asana to accomplish our goals. Some familiarity with the Google Suite, Slack, and Asana is helpful.

Ballotpedia offers a flexible work environment, BP Flex, which provides every employee with unlimited vacation and flexibility in scheduling. Each employee will be oriented to the principles of Ballotpedia’s flexible environment during new employee training.

Compensation

The starting pay range for the Elections Team Staff Writer is $42,500-$44,000, commensurate with experience.

In addition to salary, Ballotpedia offers an annual benefits stipend equivalent to $8,000 that is paid out in equal increments in each paycheck once an employee becomes benefits-eligible. The stipend may be used to pay for a full benefits package, including health, vision, and dental insurance; retirement accounts; and more. If benefits are not elected, the stipend is taxed as regular income and added to salary. 

To Apply

To apply, click on ‘Apply for this job’ below and fill out the form.

Please attach:

• Résumé
• Cover letter detailing your interest in Ballotpedia’s mission and this position
• Neutral writing sample (under five pages)

Note: please include this in the same file as your cover letter

Please ensure that either your résumé or cover letter include your current address. Applications without addresses will not be accepted.

Please note that if you are hired for this position, Ballotpedia participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ballotpedia is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. For more information on E-Verify, or if you believe that your employer has violated its E-Verify responsibilities, please contact DHS.

About Ballotpedia

Ballotpedia is a mission-driven organization dedicated to providing Americans with accurate, relevant, and unbiased information about politics, elections, and public policy. Our mission is to ensure that the only unknown on your ballot is who gets your vote. We value innovation, humility, intellectual curiosity, drive, and a collaborative spirit and are committed to continuously improving our offerings to better serve our audiences, readers, and candidates.