What is A More Perfect Union?

In 2022, we launched A More Perfect Union: The Jewish Partnership for Democracy to mobilize Jewish institutions – across states, denominations, backgrounds, and political ideologies –  to protect and strengthen American democracy. Our first effort, modeled on collective-impact models, invites American Jewish institutions to make bold-but-achievable public commitments to one or more of five vetted, nonpartisan strategies, which includes pro bono legal support for election officials, built around the specific context of the 2022 midterms.

What is the Election Official Legal Defense Network?

We are partnering with the Election Official Legal Defense Network (EOLDN) to build a pipeline of qualified and passionate attorneys interested in supporting election officials and workers at no cost. EOLDN is a project of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Center for Election Innovation & Research and works to connect licensed, qualified, pro bono attorneys with election administrators who need advice or assistance. This service is available regardless of the election official’s political affiliation, or whether they work in a blue or red state or county. For a complete set of the Rules for Lawyers and Law Firms Participating in EOLDN, click here.

Why do election officials need legal support?

The past few years have brought an onslaught of threats, harassment, attacks, and distrust directed toward election officials, the vast majority of whom are career civil servants who simply want to oversee free, fair, safe, and accessible elections.

The majority of requests for support received by EOLDN are not about interpreting aspects of election law—there are existing mechanisms for that—but rather center around questions of personal safety, harassment toward family members, or in some cases the weaponization of information requests used to bog offices down in minutia. These requests come from scared and exhausted election officials in all states, on both sides of the aisle, with fears compounded for women and people of color who often receive threats overlaid with misogyny and racism.

Per EOLDN, “those seeking help from EOLDN may be facing difficult and stressful circumstances and may feel very isolated. They may be concerned that their job is at risk or they may be scared for their safety and the safety of their families. Matters might need urgent attention. EOLDN’s goal is to match lawyers with clients as efficiently as possible and to do what we can as a matching service to ensure that clients receive prompt, responsive, timely, and competent legal representation.” 

How does supporting them ensure free, fair, safe, and accessible elections?

A recent study from the Brennan Center for Justice and the Bipartisan Policy Center indicated that 20% of election officials nationally plan to leave before the 2024 election in light of this challenging climate, with 57% of those polled saying they would feel safer with more robust legal support and protection for them. This would mean a massive turnover in qualified and impartial election officials during a period of elevated fears and polarization, constituting a massive threat to the integrity of American elections in 2022 and beyond.

What are the basic requirements for practicing lawyers?

• Engaged in the private practice of law full or part-time

• Carry professional liability insurance (minimum: $250k per claim/$500k aggregate)

• Will commit to providing all legal services pro bono for EOLDN-matched clients

• Will commit to responding to EOLDN and EOLDN-matched clients in a timely fashion

For a complete set of the Rules for Lawyers and Law Firms Participating in EOLDN, click here.

Does one need to be an election attorney to volunteer?

No. Most requests that come in do not deal with election law; rather, one might expect questions around physical safety, threats and intimidation, and information requests. Should a question come in for a pro bono volunteer regarding election law specifically, the EOLDN team has resources and experts to consult.

Does it matter which state(s) I practice in?

Attorneys will only be contacted if an election official in their state requests support. No one will be asked to offer guidance or support outside of the jurisdiction in which they are licensed.

Will every attorney who volunteers be contacted to offer support?

Not necessarily. Support is requested by election officials who are then matched with qualified and licensed attorneys in their state. If no requests are made in their state, an attorney may not be contacted by EOLDN. That being said, EOLDN and A More Perfect Union are collaborating to ensure it is a meaningful experience for those who offer their time.

Do certain states have a greater need for attorneys?

Yes. We will be updating this document as different needs shift and become clear. Right now, we know that 58% of the total of potentially criminal threats toward election officials come from states that underwent 2020 post-election lawsuits, recounts, and audits, such as Arizona, Georgia, Colorado, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Nevada, and Wisconsin. The best way to stay informed is for individuals to sign up as pro bono volunteers and plug directly into the network. 

Can paralegals, legal researchers, and other folks in the legal field sign up?

Right now, EOLDN is focused on building a robust list of pro bono attorneys willing to support election officials. EOLDN encourages interested parties to subscribe to the EOLDN newsletter and spread the word to election officials and pro bono attorneys.

What is the time commitment required?

The time commitment may vary, but we do not expect it to exceed 10 hours in total.

How do attorneys sign up?

Click the “Volunteer Now” button at the top of this page and you’re on your way. Legal professionals need not be Jewish to volunteer through our form.