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From cutting-edge policy research to illuminating analysis, we bring a racial equity lens to the most pressing issues facing our country. For our latest blog posts and media updates, visit our Media page.

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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
Cover of 'Solving the Affordability Crisis' by People's Action and Dēmos: a rising staircase of icons representing groceries, health care, energy, housing, and child care, each topped with dollar bills."

Solving the Affordability Crisis

The affordability crisis is the result of policy choices — and different choices can reverse it. This report from Dēmos and People's Action traces why housing, utilities, food, health care, and child care have become unaffordable, and five structural solutions for building a people-powered, racially just economy.

Policy Briefs
Demos
People's Action
A Black care worker in scrubs reviews a clipboard with an older Black woman seated on a couch. In the background, composite images show caregivers working with children and supporting elderly adults, overlaid with illustrated icons representing justice, economic opportunity, and care.

Empowering Care Workers: The Key to a Better Care Economy

Good care jobs are the foundation of a good care economy. Empowering care workers through better pay, stronger protections, and collective voice would improve care quality, reduce workforce shortages, and advance racial and economic equity.

Policy Briefs
Nick Wertsch

Small Investments, High Yields: Cost Study of Same Day Registration in IA and NC

Same Day Registration (SDR) (also known as Election Day Registration) states have historically led the nation in voter turnout, with average turnout rates 10 to 12 percentage points higher than non-SDR states. In the high-turnout 2008 presidential election, SDR states led the nation in turnout by 7

Policy Briefs
Emma Stokking

Against Employment Credit Checks; Testimony by Amy Traub Before Colorado Senate Judiciary Committee

Thank you, Chairperson Carroll and members of the Committee for this opportunity to present testimony. I am a Senior Policy Analyst in the Economic Opportunity Program at Dēmos. We are a national, non-partisan research and advocacy organization, established in 2000 and headquartered in New York City
Testimony and Public Comment
Amy Traub

Auctioning Democracy

The Rise of Super PACs and the 2012 Election

Research
Adam Lioz
Blair Bowie

Ending Unjust Employment Credit Checks

In the midst of the worst economic downturn in decades, millions of Americans are out of work and struggling to keep up with bills for even the most basic expenses. What they need more than anything is a job. But for too many people, access to employment is blocked by the growing practice of
Policy Briefs
Amy Traub

Voter ID In Virginia: An Expensive Mistake

Virginia legislators are considering several bills that would make it more difficult for eligible persons to cast a ballot that will be counted, and would impose large costs for implementation. One bill requires photo identification in order to vote, while others require one of an enumerated list of

Policy Briefs
Liz Kennedy
Tova Wang

Prevenir La Manipulación de los Límites de Los Distritos Electorales sobre La Base de La Población Reclusa

La Constitución de los Estados Unidos requiere que los distritos electorales sean aproximadamente iguales en tamaño para que todas las personas tengan la misma representación en el proceso político.

Policy Briefs
Brenda Wright
Peter Wagner

Does Growth Equal Progress? The Myth of GDP

While GDP has been steadily increasing, indicating a growing economy, other metrics of progress show a very different picture.

Research
Lew Daly
J. Mijin Cha
Dan Thompson

Beyond GDP: New Measures For A New Economy

For decades, GDP has enjoyed supreme status as the predominant benchmark of our economic and social progress. In reality, GDP obscures or ignores essential aspects of Americans’ economic and social welfare, as well as important social and environmental dimensions of our national welfare and future

Research
Lew Daly
Stephen Posner

Advancing New Measures for a Strong Economy with Sustainable Growth

Reflections and Questions for the Next Phase

Policy Briefs
Lew Daly

New State Voting Laws II: Protecting The Right To Vote in the Sunshine State

State-sponsored infringement on the right to vote is not a new phenomenon in Florida. Indeed, Florida’s history of voting rights violations led Congress to require that five Florida counties seek pre-clearance by the U.S. Department of Justice or the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
Policy Briefs
Steven Carbó
Liz Kennedy