Weekend Journalist

About Democracy Docket

Democracy Docket is the leading digital news platform dedicated to information, analysis and opinion about voting rights and elections in the courts.

Founded in 2020 by Democratic voting rights attorney Marc Elias, Democracy Docket is a reliable source of news that delivers detailed analysis and expert commentary on voting rights and election litigation and policy that will shape our elections and democratic institutions for years to come. With a comprehensive database of over 1,000 cases, Democracy Docket tracks and reports on the latest election and voting-related litigation, providing filings, in-depth analysis and up-to-date developments about court proceedings.

We offer free daily and weekly newsletters to our over 400,000 subscribers as well as a premium membership with exclusive content. Our social media presence continues to grow with over 1 million total followers across our channels, including 400,000+ YouTube subscribers. By providing our readers with breaking news updates, long-form analysis pieces and op-eds from elected officials, legal experts and voting rights activists, Democracy Docket is committed to helping people better understand the greatest challenges facing voters and our democracy.

Job Overview 

Democracy Docket is seeking a self-motivated, experienced reporter/editor with a strong background in legal or political reporting to join our team in a unique, off-hours position. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in an independent work environment and is comfortable working outside of traditional office hours. If you're a seasoned professional who can juggle writing, editing, and social, and can handle disjointed workflows and manage your own schedule, this could be a great fit for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Write news articles in response to breaking developments, including court rulings and filings, comments from newsmakers, etc.
• Report or edit longform projects when news is quiet.
• Share articles on social media platforms.
• Collaborate with editors on deadlines and feedback.
• Maintain clear communication with the team and keep a flexible, proactive approach to news coverage and development.

Required Qualifications

• Strong writing and editing skills with experience in legal or political reporting. 
• Solid career experience in journalism roles, with a comfort level in working independently and remotely.
• Detail-oriented, with a clear writing style and commitment to accuracy.
• Experience with social media management and content sharing.
• Enthusiasm for mission-driven, pro-democracy journalism.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work with off-hours schedules.
• Comfortable using platforms like WordPress, Asana, HubSpot, Buffer, Airtable is a strong plus.
• Availability for initial training during standard working hours, ideally in person in Washington D.C. or Jersey City, NJ.

Working Hours (Approximate)

• Fridays: 3-6 p.m
• Saturdays: 9am-6pm
• Sundays 10am-4pm

Work Environment
This is a remote contract role that will be paid hourly, with the possibility of occasional travel to either the DC or Jersey City office.

REQUIRED: To apply - please complete the application and attach a resume, a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and ability to report, self-edit and post on social media independently, and two writing samples. We look forward to hearing from you!

Salary Range: $38/hour

Democracy Docket is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.