Fix Harrisburg Summer Internship
Fix Harrisburg is a campaign to change legislative rules that allow just a few partisan gatekeepers to block policy solutions sought by a majority of Pennsyvlanians. Less than 1 in 5 bills introduced in Harrisburg are ever given a vote. Less than 7% of introduced bills are enacted into law. While many states have procedural rules that allow all legislators to represent their constituents, PA’s rules put all the power in the hands of just a few legislative leaders and key committee chairs. Fair Districts PA (FDPA) and the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania (LWVPA) launched Fix Harrisburg in spring of 2022 to build public pressure to change procedural rules in the PA legislature so bipartisan solutions receive a vote.
FDPA is a fiscal project of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania and a non-partisan statewide coalition of organizations and individuals working to end gerrymandering in PA. Since 2016 FDPA has advocated for an independent citizens redistricting commission in Pennsylvania. FDPA also works to build understanding of the PA redistricting process. With partner organizations, FDPA volunteers submitted sample maps, gave testimony and built pressure to ensure fair maps in the 2022 mapping process. While the resultant maps are far more fair than maps used in the past decade of elections, the process remains unchanged due to opposition from legislative leaders.
LWVPA is a nonpartisan, grassroots civic organization begun when women won the right to vote in 1920. With more than a century of experience, LWVPA has long advocated for fair elections and protection of constitutional rights.
FDPA has grown quickly since its start in 2016 and has built a grassroots advocacy network across PA, with volunteers in every legislative district. Summer interns will help grow and strengthen that network in rural areas, minority communities and among young voters, while amplifying the “fix Harrisburg” message.
Position Expectations and Requirements:
Fair Districts PA works through statewide teams that meet remotely through Zoom and a digital Slack workspace, as well as through local groups dispersed across the commonwealth. The internship will consist of on average 10 hours per week for 14 weeks, June 1 through September 5, for a total of 130 to 140 hours and a total stipend of $2000, paid in half mid-summer and at the completion of the internship.
Fix Harrisburg interns will:
- Participate in virtual orientation and training in early June and weekly virtual check-in meetings with other team members.
- Share information with the public at regional or local community fairs or festivals, beginning with the Climate Convergence in Harrisburg June 11-13 and ending with Kipona in Harrisburg on Labor Day weekend.
- Visit local libraries, community centers, fire halls, and other local venues to place Fix Harrisburg fliers and posters in visible places for public outreach.
- Manage one existing county-based Fair Districts PA Facebook page.
Preference will be given to young voters from rural regions of the commonwealth and from underserved minority communities.
Fix Harrisburg interns should have the following skills and interests:
- Ability to work independently in a remote team environment and access to reliable internet.
- Physical ability to stand for long periods of time and carry boxes of materials across uneven terrain.
- Strong communication skills and ability to grasp and share complicated information in a friendly, persuasive way.
- Interest in PA electoral politics and in the legislative process.
- Has a reliable means of transportation