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Democracy

The freedom to vote must be protected. Money in politics must be reduced. The democratic process must reflect our diverse electorate. Demos is committed to creating an inclusive democracy.

Featured Issue
The Need for Language Access
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What you need to know about federal voting requirements, state and local language access laws, and the linguistic diversity that makes multilingual election materials essential to protecting voting rights.

Learn More About Language Access
The Latest on Democracy
Blue-toned collage of diverse voters at polling booths, with "I Voted" stickers shown in several languages including Tagalog, Spanish, Hindi, and Chinese.
Policy Briefs
Jens Manuel Krogstad
Phi Nguyen

The Impact of Language Assistance on Voter Turnout: Lessons from California

No eligible voter should be shut out of our democracy because election materials aren't available in the language they know best. This brief with the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) shows why language access is essential to a truly inclusive, multiracial democracy.

An ICE officer photographed from behind in tactical gear, with "ICE" and "ICE POLICE" patches across the back of a black vest.

Profit Over People: How Private Prisons and ICE Harm Communities and Democracy

Private prison corporations helped buy ICE's blank check, and they are cashing in on it. Closing the campaign finance loopholes that let federal contractors bankroll politicians is a necessary first step toward a government accountable to people rather than profits.

Blog
Joshua Harmon
Neda Khoshkhoo
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Birthright Citizenship Upheld in a Victory for Democracy

In a major victory for democracy and constitutional protections, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked the Trump administration's attempt to strip birthright citizenship rights. Dēmos President Taifa Smith Butler called the decision essential to building an inclusive democracy where all Americans have equal rights and political voice.

Press release/statement
Taifa Smith Butler
The U.S. Supreme Court building against a blue sky, overlaid with a map of Louisiana and a chain of "I Voted" sticker footprints being cut by scissors on either side

Voting Rights and Representation in the Aftermath of Louisiana v. Callais

This brief examines what the Supreme Court's Callais decision means for communities of color, what has already changed in its wake, and what reforms — from state voting rights acts to proportional representation — can meet this moment.

Policy Briefs
Angelo Ancheta
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Meet the Experts
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Angelo Ancheta
Senior Research and Policy Counsel
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Neda Khoshkhoo
Associate Director, Democracy
In Depth
Voting Rights & Voter Access
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Money in Politics
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Our Data Tool
The Power Scorecard
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The Power Scorecard measures the economic, civic, and political conditions that determine who holds power in our economy and democracy. Explore the data and join us in the work to shift power back to the people.

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Explore Other Issues
Economic Justice
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The current go-it-alone economic system has created record inequality and stalled mobility for the next generation. A new paradigm must be created.

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