Consultant: Michigan Nonpartisan Election Observation – Regional Coordinator

Consultant: Michigan Nonpartisan Election Observation – Regional Coordinator

About The Carter Center
The Carter Center is guided by a fundamental commitment to promoting human rights, alleviating human suffering, enhancing freedom and democracy, and improving health conditions. The Carter Center seeks highly qualified, motivated, and energetic consultants to serve as Regional Coordinators for its nonpartisan election observation efforts in Michigan.

The Democracy Program works globally to support and strengthen participatory democracy, consistent with human rights. Beginning in 2020, The Carter Center began efforts to support good election administration in the United States, including expanding nonpartisan observation, bolstering dispute resolution, tracking disinformation and dangerous speech, contributing to electoral reform and accessibility, and promoting principles for trusted elections.

In Michigan, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation and The Carter Center have announced a partnership to conduct nonpartisan election observation of the 2026 midterm elections. The Ford-Carter Election Observation Network (FCEON) will monitor critical stages of the election process and assess the quality of the elections to increase transparency and trust in Michigan’s elections. The initiative will train and support Michiganders to serve as nonpartisan election observers throughout the state to assess whether election laws and procedures are consistently and accurately followed. Election observers will document how those procedures are implemented, impartially and accurately reporting what they see using structured forms and standardized observation tools. Their reports will be aggregated to provide a detailed, data-driven assessment about the integrity of elections in Michigan.

Employment Details

• Level of effort: Up to 22 days per month, with level of effort varying by phase of the project and increasing during peak election periods
• Start date: As soon as possible
• Location: Michigan (U.S.); must reside in or near the assigned region; travel throughout assigned counties will be required; remote work is also expected
• Pay: Commensurate with experience
• Length of assignment: Through January 30, 2027, with the possibility of extension or renewal depending on performance and project requirements

Regional Coverage
FCEON anticipates recruiting Regional Coordinators to support observation activities across target counties in Michigan. Anticipated regions may include the following groupings:

• Southeast Metro: Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw
• Middle: Genesee, Ingham
• West: Kent, Ottawa, Kalamazoo, Berrien, St. Joseph
• North and Upper Peninsula: Leelanau, Antrim, Marquette

Applicants should indicate the region or regions for which they wish to be considered. Preference may be given to candidates who reside in, or have strong familiarity with, the counties in their assigned region.

Scope of Work and Responsibilities

The Carter Center is looking for experienced professionals to support regional coordination, observer management, and field implementation for the Michigan observation effort. Each Regional Coordinator will work in consultation with Carter Center staff, Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation staff, and other consultants with relevant expertise.

Working under the supervision of a Democracy Program associate director, and in close coordination with the Michigan-based and Atlanta-based project team, the consultant will:

Regional Leadership and Coordination

• Serve as the primary regional focal point for the Michigan election observation effort in the assigned counties;
• Develop and finalize the regional observation plan; support the development of observer checklists/forms as needed;
• Support the implementation of regional observation plans and help ensure that observation activities are carried out consistently and in line with project methodology;
• Liaise with county election officials, local stakeholders, and other relevant contacts to support the observation effort and facilitate access, communication, and coordination as appropriate;
• Represent the project professionally and help reinforce the effort’s nonpartisan character, credibility, and consistency across the region.

Observer Recruitment, Training, and Deployment

• Support the recruitment and management of county coordinators and nonpartisan election observers in the assigned region;
• Help identify local outreach opportunities and relationships that can strengthen recruitment and retention of observers;
• Attend trainings of trainers and support the planning and delivery of observer trainings in the assigned region;
• Coordinate regional training logistics, support participant follow-up, and help ensure observers understand observation protocols, procedures, and expectations;support regional deployment planning for observation of key stages of the election process, including early voting, Election Day, and other relevant observation activities.
• Where required, serve as an election observer for key processes such as logic and accuracy testing of election equipment, early and election day voting, and county canvassing

Field Support and Troubleshooting

• Serve as a first-line support point for county coordinators and observers in the region during active observation periods;
• Monitor field implementation, identify operational issues, and elevate problems or risks to project leadership as needed;
• Help coordinate distribution of observer kits, materials, and other logistical needs within the region;
• Travel throughout assigned counties as needed to support observation activities, troubleshoot issues, and reinforce quality control.

Coordination with Data Collection and Reporting

• Coordinate with project staff to help ensure timely submission of observation forms and accurate field reporting;
• Flag gaps, anomalies, or issues observed in the field for follow-up with the relevant project staff;
• Contribute to regional updates and briefings on recruitment, training, deployments, and observation activities;
• Support documentation of lessons learned and regional implementation challenges to strengthen future observation efforts.

Internal Communications and Team Support

• Provide regular progress updates to project leadership and maintain close coordination with the broader Michigan and Atlanta-based team;
• Ensure county coordinators and observers in the assigned region receive timely information about project priorities, schedules, and operational guidance;
• Maintain clear, consistent, and professional communication with project staff, consultants, and external stakeholders;
• Complete other tasks as requested to support the good functioning of the project.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of experience in project coordination, volunteer management, field operations, civic engagement, community organizing, election administration, election observation, or related programming;
• Demonstrated experience coordinating people, logistics, or activities across multiple locations or teams;
• Strong communication, organization, and leadership skills;
• Ability to work independently, solve problems, and manage competing priorities in a fast-moving environment;
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with politically diverse stakeholders in a nonpartisan setting;
• Familiarity with U.S. elections is strongly preferred; ability to quickly learn Michigan-specific election procedures and the goals of the observation effort is required;
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation;
• Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and peak periods leading up to and during the 2026 primary and general elections;
  Proficiency with Microsoft Office and comfort using shared digital tools and communications platforms as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting election observation, election administration, civic engagement, democracy-related programming, or volunteer-based field operations;
• Familiarity with the assigned Michigan region, including local communities, institutions, and election administration context;
• Experience facilitating trainings or managing volunteer onboarding;
• Experience working in politically sensitive, high-visibility, or time-sensitive environments;
• Strong judgment, professionalism, and commitment to nonpartisanship.

How to Apply

• Please submit:
  A CV
• A cover letter, including three references

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Only applicants selected for an interview or additional consideration will be notified.