This internship supports high school students exploring the impact they can have as active citizens in their communities. From learning about how state laws are passed to bolstering facilitation and organizing skills, interns follow their passions to design projects and expand their knowledge alongside a cohort of other passionate young people. We are seeking interns with interest and/or experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Community organizing and education
- Creating a more equitable, just society
- Communications (including content production and social media management)
What is the structure of the internship?
We hire interns three times a year:
- Fall semester (October to January): Applications due September 19, 2026
- Spring semester (February to May): Applications due January 16, 2027
- Summer (June to August): Applications due May 15, 2027
Interns are paid a $900 stipend for the semester and work 5 hours a week.
After the application deadline has passed, we will contact you about scheduling an interview. Each semester we hire 3-4 high school interns from across the state. We typically also offer a few applicants volunteer positions, which allow them to work on projects and engage in the cohort with more flexible hours.
Who are we looking for?
To apply for this internship, you must be a student attending high school in Maine. For the summer internship cycle, we’re willing to consider students who graduated from a Maine high school that spring.
Ideal candidates are:
- Committed to expanding political equity and voter engagement for all Mainers
- Strong communicators and team players who work well in a highly collaborative, fast-paced environment
- Organized, punctual, and self-motivated; able to be productive without constant direct supervision
- Able to commit to nonpartisan values
- Interested in developing skills such as communication, facilitation, and project design
- Engaged, curious learners and thinkers
Interns don’t need prior knowledge or experience—we care much more about your passion, interest, and the unique perspective you’d bring to this program.
We would love to see more applicants from rural communities and marginalized backgrounds.
What would you be doing?
Interns craft self-directed projects guided by what they want to explore, accomplish, and attempt. We’ve included some past projects below to provide examples, not guidelines; we love supporting interns to execute their unusual, outside-the-box, and impactful ideas.
- Designing a Pillars of Democracy sticker highlighting Maine symbols and democratic ideals that was distributed to local libraries, community centers, and more.
- Writing and editing Public Service Announcements (PSAs) for use in statewide classrooms. Past topics include Ranked Choice Voting, Miranda Rights, and Burnout in Organizing.
- Designing, facilitating, and hosting virtual and in-person events to raise civic awareness, encourage dialogue, and engage other young people on topics like Poverty, Immigration, and Voting and the rise of Anti-Trans & Queer Legislation, as well as fun, community-building spaces like a Queer Trivia Night & Immigration Rights Open Mic.
- Researching and creating social media campaigns highlighting upcoming election information, Governor Janet Mills’s vetoes, and recent national legislation.
- Building newsletters to communicate with past interns and Youth Council members.
Plus, all interns will…
- Build meaningful relationships with other motivated young people from across Maine
- Develop civic knowledge and confidence engaging with Maine politics
- Gain actionable skills dictated by intern interests in topics such as writing as an advocacy tool, outreach, meeting facilitation, and more
- Be supported to delve into your passions and craft meaningful projects that impact communities you care about
- Become part of the LWVME Youth Council, a statewide network of 100+ youth leaders
Your future
What opportunities has this internship given past students? Past students have connected to other jobs, gotten college recommendation letters, attended national conferences as presenters, and more!
This internship is a great opportunity to explore public service careers, the nonprofit sector, and what it is to be an elected official. Past interns have met the Governor, Secretary of State and their local Representatives!
How do you apply?
To apply, please send the following as attachments to info@mainestudentsvote.org:
- Letter of interest (no longer than one page): Please tell us why the League, Maine Citizens for Clean Elections, and Maine Students Vote interest you, and give us an example of an experience that formed your interest in social justice causes. Based on the information we’ve provided, share a few reasons why you would be a great fit to join our dynamic team. Make sure to include your cell, email, high school name, and class year.
- Either a resume including a list of activities with which you have been involved and any relevant coursework, or the names and contact information of two professional or academic references.
**If you are 15 or younger and interested in joining our internship program you will need to fill out a work permit application with the state of Maine before you can start. It’s best to get this submitted at the same time that you send in your internship application materials.
About the Organizations
The League of Women Voters of Maine (LWVME) is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. We never support or oppose any political party or candidate.
As part of Democracy Maine, LWVME collaborates with Maine Citizens for Clean Elections (MCCE) and Maine Students Vote to partner on advocacy and education efforts to make government more equitable, inclusive and accessible.
This internship program grew out of the Marion Holshouser Internship program.
About Marion Holshouser
Marion Holshouser was a founder of Maine Citizens for Clean Elections and a passionate believer and a dynamic participant in the democratic political process. In Urbana, Illinois, she ran for office and was elected to the City Council and the office of City Treasurer. She served twice as a Carter delegate to the National Democratic Convention. She believed in the value of nonpartisan political work and was an active member of the League of Women Voters for most of her adult life. In "retirement" in Maine, she served on the League's state and local boards for many years, rising to president of both the state and Portland area organizations. She worked tirelessly on many League initiatives and received numerous awards for her contributions. Among her proudest accomplishments was spearheading the League of Women Voters' lead participation in Maine Voters for Clean Elections, the coalition that passed the Maine Clean Election Act by referendum in 1996 and later became MCCE. Marion's vision of an inclusive, participatory political system helped to shape the Maine Clean Election Act, and Maine people have benefited ever since its passage.