Democracy Summer Fellowship

This fellowship is part of the Democracy Summer program — a national Democratic fellowship founded by Congressman Jamie Raskin that trains and deploys the next generation of Democratic organizers and leaders to win elections at every level.

Democracy Summer Fellows with the Kaptur campaign will engage in a pro-democracy, pro-voting rights curriculum alongside an exciting summer of on-the-ground organizing, including voter registration, door knocking, phone banks, rallies and political events in Ohio’s 9th Congressional District.

Program Details

The 2026 program runs from Monday, June 22nd to Friday, August 7th and requires a 15–20 hour/week commitment.

Virtual Curriculum (4+ hours/week)

• Weekly speaker sessions on Mondays, 12pm–2pm ET
• Interactive Zoom workshop sessions throughout the week (assigned by campaign/region)

On-the-Ground Organizing (10–15 hours/week)

• Work directly with campaign staff on voter outreach, canvassing and events
• Primarily in-person with some remote responsibilities
• Schedules vary — coordinated with campaign leadership

Requirements

• Must be at least 16 years of age
• Commit to fully participating in virtual seminars, discussions and workshops
• Commit to on-the-ground organizing with the campaign

Stipend

All Fellows receive a $575 stipend from the campaign to supplement the costs of their organizing efforts.

How to Apply

The application requires a resume, cover letter, and several short answer questions. The priority deadline is Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Applicants who apply before the priority deadline will hear back before the end of April.

About the Fellowship

The Marcy Kaptur for Congress campaign is looking for hardworking, driven high school students to join our team. This opportunity is geared towards students who are looking to learn from and be part of one of the most competitive Congressional races in the nation in 2026. No prior campaign or political experience is necessary — only a sincere interest and passion in Democratic politics and advocacy work.

Students on the organizing team will engage in an exciting summer of on-the-ground organizing. They’ll work directly with campaign leadership to execute a voter outreach program that includes door-to-door canvassing, volunteer recruitment and training, event staffing, and intentional relationship-building within the district.

What You’ll Learn

Fellows can expect mentorship and training from campaign management, along with significant opportunities for professional development, networking, and exposure to experienced campaign operatives. Weekly workshops include:

• A deep dive into political organizing
• Campaign Finance 101
• Careers in Politics: Options and Trajectories
• How to craft a great resume
• General professional development: interviews, college and staying organized

Qualifications

• Enthusiastic about meeting people, building relationships and empowering volunteers
• Strong organizational skills
• Flexible, adaptable, collaborative and communicative with a solution-oriented mindset
• Committed to electing Democratic candidates

Hours & Commitment

This fellowship requires a minimum 5 hour/week commitment. This is an unpaid opportunity and may be counted towards community service hours.

How to Apply

Applications for the Summer term are due by May 24, 2026.