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Global Election & Electoral Standards Resources

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With more people than ever voting in elections around the world, the International Law Community of the D.C. Bar gathered key resources that outline global standards for democratic elections, including guidance for legal frameworks, equal access to voting, protections for election observers and electoral workers, electoral integrity and accountability. In addition to resources, the section titled "Useful Organizations" provides links to global and regional organizations working to promote democratic elections and electoral standards.

Podcasts

Immigration

DC Bar Immigration Legal Advice & Referral Clinic
Organization: D.C. Bar Association
Location: Washington, D.C.
Website: https://www.dcbar.org/pro-bono/what-we-do/immigration-legal-advice-referral-clinic
Contact Information: Jenadee Nanini, Managing Attorney [email protected]

About the Clinic

The clinic provides legal information, brief advice, and referral services through volunteer attorneys to individuals with civil legal problems governed by U.S. immigration laws.

The Pro Bono Center welcomes active barred attorney volunteers to complete client intakes and provide brief legal advice and information. All attorneys will be supervised and mentored by expert immigration attorneys. Expert mentors can volunteer if they are currently practicing immigration and have been for at least 3-5 years. We especially need volunteers who are fluent in Spanish, Amharic, French, Mandarin, or another language. Training, mentoring, sample pleadings and other resources are provided.

Clinics typically take place in person in March, June, September, and December in Columbia Heights. Volunteers arrive by 9 a.m. and remain until the last client is served, usually between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

If you are interested in volunteering with the Immigration Legal Advice & Referral Clinic, please contact Managing Attorney Jenadee Nanini at [email protected].

Legal Aid DC
Organization: Legal Aid DC
Location: Washington, D.C.
Website: https://www.legalaiddc.org/who-we-are/pro-bono-program
Contact Information: [email protected]

Legal Aid DC provides direct representation to clients in four practice areas as well as its Reentry Justice and Immigrants' Rights Legal Services Projects. It also handles appeals on a broad range of poverty law issues through its nationally-recognized Barbara McDowell Appellate Advocacy Project and advocates for policies that will benefit its client community through its policy advocacy program.

About Legal Aid DC’s Pro Bono Program

Legal Aid DC’s Pro Bono Program greatly enhances Legal Aid DC’s ability to make justice real by expanding its impact and providing legal assistance and representation for hundreds of additional individuals and families in its community.

Over the years, Legal Aid DC has referred thousands of matters to private practice and government attorneys. Cases are screened initially by our attorneys and then referred to pro bono counsel. Legal Aid DC has training videos and written manuals available, and will provide expert mentoring. Legal Aid DC’s mentors are experienced attorneys available to answer questions, provide sample pleadings, and discuss relevant law and strategy with its pro bono attorneys.

In addition to case referrals, Legal Aid DC also welcomes law firm Loaned Associates in-house as part of its Legal Aid team. If you are an attorney and want more information about the Pro Bono Program and current pro bono opportunities, please send an email to [email protected].

DC Refers – low bono lawyers network
Organization: DC Refers
Location: Washington, D.C.
Website: https://dcrefers.org/
Contact Information: [email protected]

DC Refers is an online directory of lawyers and mediators who are willing to accept modest means clients (incomes within 200-400% of the federal poverty guidelines). If they accept your case, the lawyers and mediators will charge modest means clients reduced fee rates of between $75-150 per hour. The lawyers and mediators may charge their usual rates to clients with higher incomes.

To join lawyers must have minimum of two years in their field; Documentation: resume, proposed fee schedule, proof of liability insurance, and bar number; References: Two professional and two client references; and Application Fee: A non-refundable $50 fee.

To join network of lawyers and mediators complete this form along with the documents outlined above. For questions email [email protected].

Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil and Urban Affairs
Organization: Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil and Urban Affairs
Location: Washington, D.C.
Website: https://www.washlaw.org/get-involved/
Contact Information: [email protected]

About Pro Bono Cases

The Washington Lawyers’ Committee is always looking for co-counsel on important cases. If you want to receive regular emails with available matters, please email [email protected]. Or take a compassionate release or a parole matter or help at our workers’ rights clinic.

About the Workers’ Rights Clinic

The Washington Lawyers’ Committee has an exciting pro bono and volunteer opportunity in our Workers’ Rights Clinics for attorneys, non-attorneys, new associates, experienced practitioners, or persons looking for time limited or long-term commitment. The clinic provides advice on all areas of employment law at the clinic, including: unpaid wages, unpaid overtime, family and medical leave act (FMLA) violations, unemployment compensation, workers’ compensation, unlawful discrimination and harassment, barriers to employment based on arrest and conviction record, and wrongful termination.

Each week, we conduct clinics for low-waged workers. At the clinics we provide advice, brief serves, and screen cases for referrals or systemic litigation. No prior experience is necessary.  We provide training and Committee staff supervise and provide support to each clinic session. If you are interested, please fill out our Clinic Volunteer Interest Form.

U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI)
Organization: U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
Location: Arlington, VA. See full list of locations
Website: https://refugees.org/
Contact Information: [email protected]

Pro Bono Afghan Legal Services (PALS)

USCRI is offering free legal assistance to Afghans under its PALS program. By working with attorneys across the country, USCRI is connecting pro bono attorneys with Afghans who need assistance with their SIV applications, parole status, employment authorization documents, or other immigration legal matters.

If you are an attorney wishing to volunteer and provide legal services to Afghans, please email the PALS program at [email protected], or call 984-349-0080.

Amica Center for Immigrant Rights (Previously known as CAIR Coalition)
Organization: Amica Center for Immigrant Rights
Location: Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia
Website: https://amicacenter.org/join-the-fight/become-a-pro-bono-partner/
Contact Information: Jennifer Grishkin, Managing Attorney for Pro Bono Coordination, at [email protected]

Amica Center for Immigrant Rights (previously known as CAIR Coalition) partners with attorneys from large law firms, corporate legal departments, law school clinics, and immigration law firms to represent as many immigrants who are detained or facing deportation as possible. The Amica Center for Immigrant Rights—formerly CAIR Coalition—engages in unwavering legal defense and strategic litigation for immigrant children and adults facing detention and deportation.

Attorneys with and without experience in litigation or immigration law can make a tremendous impact.

If you or your firm are interested in partnering with us, please contact Jennifer Grishkin, Managing Attorney for Pro Bono Coordination, at [email protected].

Additional Immigration Resources

ABA Rapid Response Immigration Legal Clinic Toolkit
Publication Date: December 2024
Organization: American Bar Association
Website: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_interest/immigration/pro-bono-at-the-commission-on-immigration/free-resources/rapid-response-immigration-legal-clinic-toolkit-landing-page/

This Toolkit was created to empower legal service providers to design and implement rapid response immigration legal clinics that will help migrants and asylum-seekers prepare for challenges and protect their rights in an unpredictable and ever-changing legal landscape. The Toolkit is a “course in a box” that includes outlines, templates, and samples that can help legal service providers quickly and efficiently build rapid response clinics. The resources within this Toolkit are adaptable to meet the needs of a particular organization and noncitizen community.

In light of the anticipated rapid changes to immigration law and policy, the authors of this Toolkit endeavor to update information as it becomes available and will incorporate updated samples and template documents. Please check back for the most updated version.


ABA Pro Bono at the Commission on Immigration
Organization: American Bar Association
Website: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_interest/immigration/pro-bono-at-the-commission-on-immigration/free-resources/

The Commission on Immigration has developed free resources to help you with your pro bono representation. View our library of written practice guides and recorded webinars. Check out the Commission's Events, Webinars and CLE page to view upcoming webinars.

Fill out our Volunteer Interest Survey to express an interest in volunteering, and read on to learn more.

Immigration & Asylum – Gender & Women

Tahirih Justice Center
Organization: Tahirih Justice Center
Location: Washington, D.C.
Website: https://www.tahirih.org/
Contact Information: Tahirih’s pro bono case placements are managed through local offices. If you have additional questions, please contact our team in Baltimore, MD at [email protected] or the Greater DC at [email protected].

The Tahirih Justice Center is a national, nonprofit organization that serves women, girls, and all immigrant survivors of gender-based violence. The Tahirih Justice Center takes a holistic approach to protecting its clients, offering a range of free immigration, family, and civil legal services, as well as access to critical social services case management.

Pro bono attorneys work with immigrant women and girls who are on U.S. soil and eligible for protection under federal immigration law. Tahirih places hundreds of cases with pro-bono attorneys each year. We specialize in and place the following types of cases: gender-based asylum petitions, T visa petitions for trafficking survivors, U visa petitions for survivors of certain serious crimes who cooperate with law enforcement, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions for domestic violence survivors who are abused by their U.S. citizen or permanent resident partner, and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) petitions for girls who have been abused, abandoned or neglected. Pro bono attorneys may represent clients before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or in immigration court. From time to time we also work with pro bono attorneys in appellate matters and impact litigation.

Tahirih’s pro bono case placements are managed through local offices. If you have additional questions, please contact our team in Baltimore, MD at [email protected] or the Greater DC at [email protected].

Ayuda
Organization: Ayuda
Location: Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia
Website: https://ayuda.com/
Contact Information: Irfana Anwer, Pro Bono Managing Attorney, [email protected]

Ayuda provides legal, social, and language services to help low-income immigrants in our neighborhoods access justice and transform their lives. Serving low-income immigrants throughout Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. Through Ayuda’s pro bono pipeline, pro bono attorneys are able to represent clients in immigrant matters such as T and U Visas, asylum applications, VAWA petitions, and immigration proceedings.

For more information, contact Pro Bono Managing Attorney, Irfana Anwer at [email protected].

General Elections Obligations, Standards and Guidelines

Select International Human Rights Law Provisions

  • Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Article 21
    1. Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
    2. Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.
    3. The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.
       
  • International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Article 25
    Every citizen shall have the right and the opportunity, without any of the distinctions mentioned in article 2 and without unreasonable restrictions:

    (a) To take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely chosen representatives;(b) To vote and to be elected at genuine periodic elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret ballot, guaranteeing the free expression of the will of the electors;
    (c) To have access, on general terms of equality, to public service in his country.
     
  • Human Rights Committee, General Comment 25 (1996):
    Interpreting Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights on The Right to Participate in Public Affairs, Voting Rights and the Right of Equal Access to Public Service. Note, in particular, paragraphs 4, 10-26.
     
  • International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination: Article 5
    In compliance with the fundamental obligations laid down in article 2 of this Convention, States Parties undertake to prohibit and to eliminate racial discrimination in all its forms and to guarantee the right of everyone, without distinction as to race, color, or national or ethnic origin, to equality before the law, notably in the enjoyment of the following rights:  . . .  (c) Political rights, in particular the right to participate in elections-to vote and to stand for election-on the basis of universal and equal suffrage, to take part in the Government as well as in the conduct of public affairs at any level and to have equal access to public service.
     
  • Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women: Article 7
    States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in the political and public life of the country and, in particular, shall ensure to women, on equal terms with men, the right:
    (a) To vote in all elections and public referenda and to be eligible for election to all publicly elected bodies;
    (b) To participate in the formulation of government policy and the implementation thereof and to hold public office and perform all public functions at all levels of government;
    (c) To participate in non-governmental organizations and associations concerned with the public and political life of the country.
     
  • Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Article 29
    States Parties shall guarantee to persons with disabilities political rights and the opportunity to enjoy them on an equal basis with others, and shall undertake:
    (a) To ensure that persons with disabilities can effectively and fully participate in political and public life on an equal basis with others, directly or through freely chosen representatives, including the right and opportunity for persons with disabilities to vote and be elected, inter alia, by:
    (i) Ensuring that voting procedures, facilities and materials are appropriate, accessible and easy to understand and use;
    (ii) Protecting the right of persons with disabilities to vote by secret ballot in elections and public referendums without intimidation, and to stand for elections, to effectively hold office and perform all public functions at all levels of government, facilitating the use of assistive and new technologies where appropriate;
    (iii) Guaranteeing the free expression of the will of persons with disabilities as electors and to this end, where necessary, at their request, allowing assistance in voting by a person of their own choice;
    (b) To promote actively an environment in which persons with disabilities can effectively and fully participate in the conduct of public affairs, without discrimination and on an equal basis with others, and encourage their participation in public affairs, including:
    (i) Participation in non-governmental organizations and associations concerned with the public and political life of the country, and in the activities and administration of political parties;
    (ii) Forming and joining organizations of persons with disabilities to represent persons with disabilities at international, national, regional and local levels.

Asylum

Human Rights First
Organization: Human Rights First
Location: Washington, D.C.
Website: https://humanrightsfirst.org/skill/lawyer/
Contact Information: [email protected]

Human Rights First's mission is to ensure that the United States is a global leader on
human rights. The organization works in the United States and abroad to promote respect for  human rights and the rule of law.

About Human Rights First’s Refugee Representation program - Attorney Volunteers

Through Human Rights First’s Refugee Representation program, volunteer lawyers have the unique opportunity to change the lives of refugees by helping them win asylum in the United States. Our clients have fled from political, religious, ethnic, and gender-based persecution in countries plagued by human rights violations. They cannot afford counsel and desperately need representation. Volunteer lawyers learn about U.S. asylum law and international human rights law and then have the chance to represent individual clients at an asylum interview or a hearing before an immigration judge.

If you are an attorney interested in taking a pro bono case with Human Rights First, please contact: [email protected].

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)
Organization: Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)
Location: Washington, D.C. Please see the full list of locations
Website: https://supportkind.org/get-involved/pro-bono-attorney-program/
Contact Information: [email protected]; 202-824-8680.

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is the preeminent international nongovernmental organization devoted to the protection of unaccompanied and separated children. KIND envisions a world in which every unaccompanied child on the move has access to legal representation and has their rights and well-being protected as they migrate alone in search of safety.

About the Pro Bono Attorney Program

KIND’s Pro Bono Attorney program is at the core of our work. We recruit volunteer lawyers from law firms, corporations, law schools, and bar associations and provide them with training, mentorship, and other resources to represent children. KIND pro bono attorneys work directly with children to help them build their cases, gain valuable courtroom experience, and develop expertise in a unique area of law. No immigration experience is necessary. Each pro bono attorney is assigned a KIND attorney for the duration of their case who provides guidance on case strategy, feedback on drafts, mock adjudications, samples, and checklists.

If you are interested in becoming a pro bono attorney, please fill out a brief form here.

CARECEN
Organization: CARECEN
Location: Washington, D.C.
Website: https://carecendc.org/
Contact Information: [email protected]; (202) 328-9799

CARECEN seeks to foster the comprehensive development of the Latino population by providing direct services while promoting grassroots empowerment, civic engagement, and human rights advocacy.

About Pro Bono Legal Services

CARECEN is looking for collaboration with pro bono attorneys to work on individual immigration cases and assist in other immigration-related work such as screenings for U-visa eligibility and Citizenship, and Brief Services. Casework may range from asylum, U-visas, Cancellation of Removal, Applications for Citizenship, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), and representation in immigration court.

If you are interested in becoming a pro bono attorney, please fill out a brief form here.

HIAS
Organization: HIAS
Location: Washington, D.C.
Website: https://hias.org/probono/
Contact Information: [email protected]

HIAS’ global headquarters are located in Silver Spring, MD. HIAS assists over 150 asylum seekers in the Greater Washington, D.C. area with free legal representation. HIAS’ Pro Bono & Partnerships team engages volunteer attorneys from across the United States to help refugees, asylum seekers, and other forcibly displaced people access vital immigration legal services.

In addition to providing pro bono legal support to clients through our offices in the NYC and DC metropolitan areas, the Pro Bono & Partnerships team also works with organizations across the country, including HIAS’ Refugee Resettlement Partners, to identify and meet emerging needs. Our volunteer attorneys represent clients in immigration court and before USCIS, staff monthly remote legal clinics, provide limited scope representation to asylum seekers, conduct comprehensive legal research, help asylees and refugees apply for their green cards, and assist former refugees and asylees with applications for U.S. citizenship.

If you are interested in becoming a pro bono attorney, please fill out a brief form here.

Restoration Immigration Legal Aid
Organization: Restoration Immigration Legal Aid
Location: Arlington, Virginia
Website: https://www.restorationimmigration.org/volunteer
Contact Information: [email protected]

RILA supports immigrants in our community by providing excellent, pro bono immigration legal assistance to those who are most vulnerable and who have the fewest resources. Attorneys with expertise in legal writing can assist with asylum briefs. We also welcome attorneys to serve by representing clients before USCIS and in state courts.

For more information, contact [email protected].

Asylum - Global Artists

Artistic Freedom Initiative
Organization: Artistic Freedom Initiative
Location: Headquarters in Brooklyn, NY
Website: https://artisticfreedominitiative.org/
Contact Information: [email protected] or fill out the form at https://artisticfreedominitiative.org/contact-us/.

Led by immigration and human rights attorneys, Artistic Freedom Initiative (AFI) facilitates pro bono immigration representation and resettlement assistance for international artists at risk. AFI has successfully filed merit-based O and EB-1 visas, performance-based P visas, applications for permanent residence and naturalization, and petitions for asylum. Additionally, our legal partners have obtained work authorizations for every artist supported by our Resettlement Assistance program.

About AFI’s Legal Services for At-Risk Artists program

AFI’s Legal Services for At-Risk Artists program is designed to facilitate pro bono immigration services for at-risk artists fleeing persecution or censorship in their countries of origin. AFI has successfully built a robust network of pro bono attorneys dedicated to providing immigration representation to at-risk artists.

International Humanitarian Law

Red Cross International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Program
Organization: Red Cross
Location: Fairfax, Virginia. Please see the full list of chapter locations.
IHL Website: https://www.redcross.org/humanityinwar.html
American Red Cross of the National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region Website: https://www.redcross.org/local/dc-va-md-de.html
Contact Information: [email protected]. For the Fairfax, VA chapter, please contact [email protected].

The American Red Cross provides opportunities to learn about international humanitarian law. This knowledge helps you understand issues related to international affairs and conflict, along with equipping you with insights to better understand past events and current conflicts reported in the media.

About International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Program

This FREE program offers a variety of courses and other opportunities that raise awareness about the Geneva Conventions, the basic rules of international humanitarian law, and the role of the Red Cross during armed conflict.

Human Rights – Reproductive & Sexual Rights

Global Justice Center - Using International Law to Achieve Gender Equality
Organization: Global Justice Center (GJC)
Location: New York
Website: https://www.globaljusticecenter.net/
Contact Information: Jaime M. Gher, Senior Legal Advisor, [email protected].

The Global Justice Center (GJC) also recently developed a crisis strategy to support the US movement in fighting for reproductive autonomy drawing on international law (IHL, IHRL and ICL) norms and seeking to integrate human rights framing and analysis into US litigation, law and policy making, and within the public discourse. Contact: Jaime M. Gher, Senior Legal Advisor, [email protected].

Whitman-Walker Health - LGBT Community Legal Services
Organization: Whitman-Walker Health
Location: Washington, D.C.
Website: https://www.whitman-walker.org/health-services/legal-services/
Contact Information: [email protected]

Whitman-Walker Health is a non-profit community-based health organization serving the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region.  We are open to everyone but offer specialties in HIV/AIDS care and in health care for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. The legal team provides free help with health insurance appeals, work disputes, discrimination, Social Security disability applications and appeals, public benefits appeals, immigration matters, powers of attorney and wills, elder issues, medical privacy, and identity documents for trans and gender expansive clients, etc..

Anyone interested in volunteering with us should email us at [email protected] and include your resume, your areas of interest, any relevant experience, your active bar memberships, if any, and your language skills. Whitman-Walker Health is especially in need of Spanish-speaking volunteers.

Amara Legal Center
Organization: Amara Legal Center
Location: Washington, D.C.
Website: https://amaralegal.org/
Contact Information: [email protected]; (240) 257-6492

The Amara Legal Center looks at its work through a racial justice lens to provide free legal representation, access to support services, and advocacy for a more equitable legal system for individuals impacted by sex trafficking or involved in sex work in the DC-metro area. Amara provides free representation for some of the most common legal needs for sex trafficking survivors and sex workers: criminal record sealing, criminal defense, family law, child custody, child support, divorce, civil protection orders, and victim-witness advocacy.

If you are interested in becoming a pro bono attorney, please fill out a brief form here.

Non-Discrimination and Protection of Voters

  • International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Article 25
    Every citizen shall have the right and the opportunity, without any of the distinctions mentioned in article 2 and without unreasonable restrictions: … (b)  To vote and to be elected at genuine periodic elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret ballot, guaranteeing the free expression of the will of the electors.
     
  • Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women: Article 7
    States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in the political and public life of the country and, in particular, shall ensure to women, on equal terms with men, the right:
    (a) To vote in all elections and public referenda and to be eligible for election to all publicly elected bodies;
    (b) To participate in the formulation of government policy and the implementation thereof and to hold public office and perform all public functions at all levels of government;
    (c) To participate in non-governmental organizations and associations concerned with the public and political life of the country.
     
  • International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families: Article 41
    1. Migrant workers and members of their families shall have the right to participate in public affairs of their State of origin and to vote and to be elected at elections of that State, in accordance with its legislation.
    2. The States concerned shall, as appropriate and in accordance with their legislation, facilitate the exercise of these rights.
     
  • Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Article 29
    States Parties to ensure “that voting procedures, facilities and materials are appropriate, accessible and easy to understand and use;” and “where necessary, at [the person with disabilities’] request, allowing assistance in voting by a person of their own choice.

Election-related Violence

Voting Accessibility

  • a. Voter Registration
     
    • UN Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights, Human Rights and Elections: A Handbook on International Human Rights Standards on Elections (2021)
      Noting that “unreasonable barriers to voter registration should be removed, including onerous, burdensome or culturally inadequate administrative requirements for accessing the necessary documentation to exercise the right to vote, especially for women, minorities, indigenous peoples, those living in remote areas and internally displaced persons. Where needed, special measures should be taken to increase the representation of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities as
      voters on the register. With regard to this latter issue, national legal provisions that
      limit the right to vote on grounds of legal capacity should be revoked and legal
      measures should be adopted to ensure that all persons with disabilities, especially
      those with intellectual or psychosocial disabilities, may exercise their right to
      vote.” (footnotes omitted)
       
    • UN Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights, Guidelines for States on the Effective Implementation of the Right to Participate in Public Affairs (2018)
      Para. 36: States should remove unreasonable barriers to voter registration, including onerous or burdensome administrative requirements for accessing the necessary documentation to exercise the right to vote, particularly for women, minorities, indigenous peoples, those living in remote areas and internally displaced persons.
       
    • Human Rights Committee, General Comment 25 (1996):
      Interpreting Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
      Para. 11. “States must take effective measures to ensure that all persons entitled to vote are able to exercise that right. Where registration of voters is required, it should be facilitated and obstacles to such registration should not be imposed. If residence requirements apply to registration, they must be reasonable, and should not be imposed in such a way as to exclude the homeless from the right to vote. Any abusive interference with registration or voting as well as intimidation or coercion of voters should be prohibited by penal laws and those laws should be strictly enforced. Voter education and registration campaigns are necessary to ensure the effective exercise of article 25 rights by an informed community.”

  • b. Special Voting Arrangements: Early Voting, Mail-in and Online Voting
    Forms of special voting arrangements (SVAs) conventionally include early, postal, online, proxy voting and use of mobile ballot boxes.
     

  • c. Accessibility for People with Disabilities
     
    • Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Article 29
      States Parties to ensure “that voting procedures, facilities and materials are appropriate, accessible and easy to understand and use;” and “where necessary, at [the person with disabilities’] request, allowing assistance in voting by a person of their own choice.
       
    • Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities: Article 9
      To enable persons with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in all aspects of life, States Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure to persons with disabilities access, on an equal basis with others, to the physical environment, to transportation, to information and communications, including information and communications technologies and systems, and to other facilities and services open or provided to the public, both in urban and in rural areas. …States Parties shall also take appropriate measures to:
      • Develop, promulgate and monitor the implementation of minimum standards and guidelines for the accessibility of facilities and services open or provided to the public;…
      • Provide forms of live assistance and intermediaries, including guides, readers and professional sign language interpreters, to facilitate accessibility to buildings and other facilities open to the public;
      • Promote other appropriate forms of assistance and support to persons with disabilities to ensure their access to information;
      • Promote access for persons with disabilities to new information and communications technologies and systems, including the Internet;
      • Promote the design, development, production and distribution of accessible information and communications technologies and systems at an early stage, so that these technologies and systems become accessible at minimum cost.

    • UN Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights, Guidelines for States on the effective implementation of the right to participate in public affairs (2018).
      Para. 38. States should amend their national legal provisions that limit the right to vote on grounds of legal capacity and adopt the legal measures necessary to ensure that all persons with disabilities, especially those with intellectual or psychosocial disabilities, may exercise their right to vote.

      Para. 39. States should take measures to ensure full accessibility for persons with disabilities in all aspects of the electoral process by, inter alia:
      (a) Guaranteeing the free expression of the will of persons with disabilities as electors and to that end, for those who cannot exercise their right to vote independently, and at their request, allowing assistance in voting by a person of their own choice;
      (b) Ensuring accessible voting procedures and facilities, and when full accessibility cannot be guaranteed, providing reasonable accommodation in order to ensure that persons with disabilities can effectively exercise their right to vote;
      (c) Providing training for electoral officials on the rights of persons with disabilities in elections
      (d) Ensuring that electoral and voting materials are appropriate, accessible to the diversity of persons with disabilities and easy to understand and use.

    • UN, Political Participation of Persons with Intellectual or Psychosocial Disabilities (2021)

    • UN Toolkit on Disability for Africa: Participation in Political and Public Life

    • Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE): Persons with Disabilities and Ensuring Their Right to Participate in Political and Public Life

Domestic Violence

Network for Victim Recovery of DC (NVRDC)
Organization: Network for Victim Recovery of DC (NVRDC)
Location: Washington, D.C.
Website: https://www.nvrdc.org/
Contact Information: [email protected]

About NVRDC's Pro Bono Program

NVRDC aims to change the impact of victimization by providing holistic, comprehensive services to all crime victims. However, as we aim to serve all of our clients with excellence and integrity, our limited resources often force us to choose between two evils - turning away survivors seeking our help or risking jeopardizing the consistent quality of our services. This is where you can help!

If you are a licensed attorney who wants to have a positive impact on a survivor of crime's experience in a judicial system, NVRDC may give you the chance to volunteer your time in a supported and secure environment. NVRDC's Pro Bono Program offers opportunities for attorneys to represent survivors of crime in four different contexts: Crime Victims' Rights*, Civil Protection Order cases*, during a University-based on-campus judicial process administered under Title IX*, and during appeals.

Housing and Family Law

DC Bar Pro Bono Center’s Advocacy & Justice Clinic
Organization: D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center’s Advocacy & Justice Clinic
Location: Washington, D.C.
Website: https://www.dcbar.org/pro-bono/what-we-do/advocacy-justice-clinic
Contact Information: [email protected]

To help address the unmet legal needs of District residents living in poverty, the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center’s Advocacy and Justice Clinic coordinates pro bono representation for eligible clients with civil legal problems. Our volunteers represent clients in housing, public benefits, or custody cases with the experienced support of Pro Bono Center attorneys.

If you are interested in volunteering to represent a client, please complete the following Volunteer Questionnaire and then email your resume to [email protected]. Once the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center reviews your materials and confirms you meet our volunteer criteria, we will contact you to schedule a brief virtual interview with Pro Bono Center staff.

Questions about the Advocacy & Justice Clinic? Email [email protected].

Questions about the Pro Bono Center's other offerings, including training, brief advice clinics, or transactional opportunities? Please email [email protected].

Election Observation

Vote Verification

  • National Democratic Institute, Process and Results Verification for Transparency (PRVT) Guide
    Process and Results Verification for Transparency (PRVT) - formerly known as “Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT)” - is an election day observation methodology that allows nonpartisan citizen organizations to systematically assess the quality of opening, voting, closing, and counting – as well as official results and, indirectly, the tabulation process – at a national scale and independently verify official results.

Electoral Dispute Resolution

  • Carter Center, International Legal Standards on Electoral Dispute Resolution
     
  • IDEA, Electoral Justice Database
    The Electoral Justice Database provides global comparative data on Election Dispute Resolution mechanisms for 178 countries and territories across the globe.

 

Useful Organizations

International, Inter-Governmental Organizations

International Non-Governmental Organizations (non-partisan, nonprofit)

Regional Organizations (non-partisan)

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