Conner Kozisek

The Project

Conner’s project at Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights will address polling place closures and last-minute changes to expand voting access and combat disenfranchisement for Chicago’s low-income communities of color.

Late polling place changes, closures, and consolidations make it harder for already marginalized groups—including voters of color, low-income voters, disabled voters, elderly voters, and voters with limited English proficiency—to access the ballot on Election Day. In the past few years, Chicago voters have experienced a drastic reduction in the number of available polling places, with polling place changes often occurring close to elections, making it nearly impossible for the changes to be challenged or for voters to learn about how they have been impacted. These changes and closures often lead to longer lines, increased transportation costs, and confusion over where to cast a ballot—all of which disenfranchise many otherwise eligible voters.

Fellowship Plans

Conner will work directly with the communities most impacted by polling place changes and closures by leading know-your-rights campaigns and engaging with community partners to reduce confusion over where to cast a ballot. He will also advocate for election officials to equitably select polling locations and ensure they are accessible for Black, Latinx, and Asian voters—particularly on Chicago’s South and West Sides. Additionally, Conner will strategically use public records requests and develop litigation templates to facilitate quick responses to potential voting rights violations.

Conner’s belief that all communities deserve political representation strengthens his commitment to protecting the roots of the democratic process through voting rights and election administration work. He was born and raised in the Midwest and is excited to return as an Equal Justice Works Fellow.