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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

Expanding Voter Registration for Low-Income Citizens: How North Carolina is Realizing the Promise of the National Voter Registration Act

When Congress passed the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) in 1993, its goals were to “increase the number of eligible citizens who register to vote in elections for Federal office” and “protect the integrity of the electoral process.”Yet, while most states created effective programs for mail
Research
Lisa J. Danetz
Scott Novakowski

Challenges Facing Public Assistance Agencies: Testimony of Lisa J. Danetz

Testimony delivered by Democracy Program Counsel Lisa J. Danetz before the Committee on House Administration, Subcommittee on Elections United States House of Representatives on April 1, 2008.
Testimony and Public Comment
Lisa J. Danetz

Election Day Voter Registration in Vermont

We have analyzed the likely impact on voter turnout should Vermont adopt Election Day Registration (EDR). Under the system proposed in Vermont, eligible voters who miss the current six-day deadline for registering by mail may be able to register to vote on Election Day. The availability of Election
Policy Briefs
R. Michael Alvarez
Jonathan Nagler

NVRA Testimony Before the House Subcommittee on Elections

Testimony of Demos Counsel Lisa J. Danetz before the United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Elections on the challenges the National Voter Registration Act presents to public assistance agencies.

Testimony and Public Comment
Lisa J. Danetz

Election Day Voter Registration in Massachusetts

We have analyzed the likely impact of adoption of Election Day Registration (EDR) by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Policy Briefs
Jonathan Nagler

Stuart Comstock-Gay's EDR Testimony Before the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee

Testimony of Demos Democracy Program Director Stuart Comstock-Gay before the Nebraska Legislature's Government, Military, and Veterans' Affairs on Election Day Registration.
Testimony and Public Comment

Letter Submitted to Judiciary Committee for 2/26/08 Hearing on Voter Suppression

Committee notified of suppressive tactics implicit in state noncompliance with NVRA Section 7. 
Testimony and Public Comment
Miles Rapoport
Maxine Nelson

Economic (In)Security: The Experience of the African-American and Latino Middle Classes

As the next installment in the By a Thread series, Economic (In)Security uses the Middle Class Security Index to provide the first comprehensive portrait of the level of financial security enjoyed by African-American and Latino middle-class families. The findings show that, in the wake of fading
Research
Tamara Draut
Jennifer Wheary
Thomas M. Shapiro
Tatjana Meschede

Unequal Access: Neglecting the National Voter Registration Act, 1995-2007

Twelve years since the enactment of the NVRA, states across the country have regularly failed to comply with public assistance voter registration requirements.

Policy Briefs
Doug Hess
Scott Novakowski

Restoring Contribution Limits: Testimony of Brenda Wright

Testimony of Demos' Democracy Program Legal Director on restoring contribution limits in Vermont, delivered before the Vermont House Government Operations Committee on February 5, 2008.

Testimony and Public Comment
Brenda Wright