Texas Civil Rights Project
Election Protection Task Force
Match pro bono attorneys with Texas voter registration organizations
Posted April 15, 2025
Background & Context
In its thirty-four year history, the Texas Civil Rights Project (TCRP) has used an ever evolving mixture of strategic litigation and community-centered advocacy to protect and expand democratic participation and representation, challenge injustices in our broken and discriminatory criminal justice system, and create a border state that supports human dignity for all people.
TCRP’s Voting Rights Program fights to protect and expand the power of underrepresented communities in Texas — especially communities of color, workers, youth, and people with disabilities. We advocate for Texas voters at every step of the electoral process.
Immediate Problem
The laws surrounding voter registration in Texas are some of the strictest in the nation, while our state's Attorney General has been very aggressive in investigating non-profits, particularly those serving historically marginalized communities, that work in the voter registration space.
This project seeks to provide several of these non-partisan 501(c)(3) voter registration organizations in Texas with access to pro bono attorneys who will provide their organizations with free legal guidance regarding compliance with Texas' voter registration laws with direct substantive support from TCRP's Senior Election Protection Attorney.
Work & Deliverables
Basic Requirements for TCRP Pro Bono Lawyers:
- Active license to practice in Texas
- Will commit to providing legal services pro bono for TCRP-
matched client organizations between now and Dec. 31, 2026.
- Must be licensed to practice law in Texas
- Must adhere to the strictest professionalism and follow all applicable laws regarding ethics, confidentiality, and data protection
- Must be able to remain completely non-partisan while performing Task Force related work
- No prior experience with the voter registration process or election law is required as training and ongoing subject matter support will be provided
Preparation Phase
- Fill out interest form with basic background information and submit to TCRP
- Be matched with TCRP-matched voter registration organization
- Sign required documents with TCRP and client organization
Collaboration Phase
- Receive 2 hour training from TCRP Election Protection staff on Texas voter registration laws
- Get to know client and their voter registration operations
- Take lead in maintaining ongoing communication with client
- Participate in regularly scheduled meetings with TCRP staff and other pro bono attorneys
- Maintain frequent communication with TCRP staff on representation matters
Wrap Up
- Confer with TCRP staff and client to confirm work is complete and to transfer files or information
- If both client and attorney want to continue the representation, agree to sign new documents
- Provide feedback to TCRP staff on Task Force program
Texas Civil Rights Project
The Texas Civil Rights Project is boldly serving the movement for equality and justice in and out of the courts. We use our tools of litigation and legal advocacy to protect and advance the civil rights of everyone in Texas and we partner with communities across the state to serve the rising movement for social justice. We undertake our work with a vision of a Texas in which all communities can thrive with dignity, justice, and without fear. Our Voting Rights Program tackles the systemic issues that suppress democratic participation in Texas — from voter registration to the moment when an individual casts their ballot. Through litigation and advocacy, TCRP fights to turn the tide on the state’s abysmal voting rights record by removing barriers to voter registration, supporting grassroots voter mobilization efforts, and opposing new attempts to suppress voting. As a critical element of that work, we help lead the Texas Election Protection Coalition: dozens of grassroots organizations that work year round to ensure that all eligible voters in Texas can cast a ballot that counts. Our efforts include operating a toll free hotline to answer voters’ questions, training and deploying hundreds of legal and grassroots volunteers who work at polling locations during Early Vote and on Election Day, using digital tools to connect with voters, and keeping legal counsel on hand to fight for voting rights in court.
Volunteer for this project!
Texas Civil Rights Project would love your help with this project. Enter your name and email address to get started!
Texas Civil Rights Project
The Texas Civil Rights Project is boldly serving the movement for equality and justice in and out of the courts. We use our tools of litigation and legal advocacy to protect and advance the civil rights of everyone in Texas and we partner with communities across the state to serve the rising movement for social justice. We undertake our work with a vision of a Texas in which all communities can thrive with dignity, justice, and without fear. Our Voting Rights Program tackles the systemic issues that suppress democratic participation in Texas — from voter registration to the moment when an individual casts their ballot. Through litigation and advocacy, TCRP fights to turn the tide on the state’s abysmal voting rights record by removing barriers to voter registration, supporting grassroots voter mobilization efforts, and opposing new attempts to suppress voting. As a critical element of that work, we help lead the Texas Election Protection Coalition: dozens of grassroots organizations that work year round to ensure that all eligible voters in Texas can cast a ballot that counts. Our efforts include operating a toll free hotline to answer voters’ questions, training and deploying hundreds of legal and grassroots volunteers who work at polling locations during Early Vote and on Election Day, using digital tools to connect with voters, and keeping legal counsel on hand to fight for voting rights in court.