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Democracy reform in the United States has taken on a renewed, urgent focus as presidential, congressional and state elections become increasingly hard-fought and closely decided. From basic concerns about election procedures to fundamental questions about full and equal representation, political leaders and the American people are engaged in a national dialogue about the health of American democracy not seen in a generation or more. At the same time that new opportunities to restore fairness and integrity to our elections emerge, partisans on the federal and state levels are promoting regressive policies that will erode voting rights and suppress electoral participation for decades to come.
Demos works to strengthen democracy in the United States for the 21st century. The Democracy Program at Demos undertakes timely research, supports advocacy campaigns, engages in litigation and supports educational campaigns to advance a diverse and inclusive democracy reform movement across the U.S. We focus primarily on state-level reforms, where opportunities for policy change are most pronounced. Demos is particularly concerned about reform efforts that will lower barriers for populations that have historically been disfranchised from the political process. In addition, Demos is seeking new means of encouraging broader participation in the political system, through new uses of social media and other forms of civic engagement.
At any one time, Demos will have a particular focus on a few specific reforms. The toolbar at the left shows our current high priority campaigns. For more information, click on any of the links to the left, or contact any of the staff below.
In addition to advocacy and research intitiaves, the Democracy Program publishes Democracy Dispatches, a periodic e-newsletter and blog that provides information about Demos's work on voting rights, election reform and democracy-related issues in the United States.
Stuart Comstock-Gay, Program Director (Boston)
scomstock-gay@demos.org
Steven Carbo, Senior Program Director (New York)
scarbo@demos.org
Lisa Danetz, Senior Counsel (Boston)
ldanetz@demos.org
Regina Eaton, Deputy Program Director (New York)
reaton@demos.org
Scott Novakowski, Senior Policy Analyst (New York)
snovakowski@demos.org
Brenda Wright, Legal Director (Boston)
bwright@demos.org
Allegra Chapman, Counsel (New York)
achapman@demos.org
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