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Threats to Ballot Access: New Report Examines Risks of Wrongful Voter Removals Across the Country

Dēmos examines ballot access issues, voter suppression in AZ, GA, OH, CA, IN, WI, MI, NC, TX, LA 

Press release/statement
August 10, 2023

We are changing the conversation around our democracy and economy by telling influential new stories about our country and its people. Get our latest blog and media updates here. For more in-depth explorations and analyses, visit our Resources page.

Featured
Ground level view of the Wall Street Stock Exchange

Unfinished Business: Revisiting Dodd-Frank and the Path to Economic Progress

On the anniversary of the Dodd-Frank Act, we reflect on recent banking failures and the inequities inherent in our current financial system. 

Blog
Daniella Zessoules
Black mother and daughter looking at the city river

A Supreme Court Power Grab: Attacking Federal Agencies to Advance an Extremist Agenda

Why the Court's decision to limit the EPA's power to regulate water access is yet another case of eroding the power of the other branches of government at the expense of Black and brown people.

Blog
Ashley Tjhung
supreme court

Supreme Court's Rejection of Affirmative Action Widens the Divide: Dēmos Calls for Renewed Efforts to Combat Systemic Racism

“The 14th Amendment is supposed to be a shield against racism, and now it’s being used as a sword.” 

Press release/statement
Taifa Smith Butler

Will We Ever Close the Jobs Gap?

The July jobs report this morning was better than expected, but still bad news. The unemployment rate remains unchanged and the economy is barely treading water. The U.S. would need to create 5 million jobs just to get back to 2007 levels -- yet, of course, millions of young people have since
Blog
David Callahan

Just How Small Is The Super-PAC Gazillionaire Club?

The 2012 elections are on track to be the nastiest in recent memory. By the tail end of primary season, in May, 70 percent of all presidential campaign ads were negative, up from a mere 9 percent at the same point in 2008.
In the media
Andy Kroll
Tasneem Raja

Ramping Up the Fight to Tax Internet Sales, Ctd.

It looks like the push from Amazon and Walmart for a tax on Internet sales may carry enough weight to win over (or at least neutralize) our lawmakers who are, for the most part, terminally squeamish about even the smallest tax. I was admittedly skeptical, but an Internet sales tax is an increasingly
Blog
Elon Green

Not Always Clear Who's Funding Politics-Related Ads

Prominent Jewish Republicans flew to Israel last weekend to join presidential candidate Mitt Romney on his overseas trip. Among them were casino magnate Sheldon Adelson and his wife, Miriam. The Adelsons were in the audience Sunday when Romney gave a policy speech in Jerusaleum. And at a fundraising
In the media
Peter Overby

Shadowy "Dark Money" Spending Dominating 2012 Presidential Race

A new study by several public policy groups indicates that half of outside spending is from groups that don't reveal their donors. According to the data, the top five "dark money" groups spent just over $53 million on TV ads for the presidential race. But because of specific tax codes related to
In the media
James Arkin

Rubio's Silly Idea: A Special Tax Break for Olympians

Last night, when U.S. swimmer Nathan Adrian, won the 100-meter Olympic freestyle by a fraction of a second, I reflected on just how valuable that sliver of advantage would be to Adrian. As an Olympic gold medalist, he'll make big money from endorsements and public appearances -- the kind of money
Blog
David Callahan

Watchdogs Seek To Shed More Light On 'Dark Money;' It's Not Easy

A top concern raised by critics of the Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United decision was that it would unleash a torrent of poorly disclosed, if disclosed at all, spending by the superwealthy. Evidence continues to mount that's precisely what's happening. A few people with a lot of money are
In the media
Frank James

Influence Industry: Small Group Makes Big Dent on Super PAC Individual Donations, Study Says

It’s no secret that some very rich people support the super PACs and other groups that have inundated the 2012 campaign with unlimited sums of cash. But a study to be released Thursday details the extent to which this kind of donating is the sport of the One Percent.
In the media
Bill Turque

Small Group Makes Big Dent on Super PAC Individual Donation

It’s no secret that some very rich people support the super PACs and other groups that have inundated the 2012 campaign with unlimited sums of cash. But a study to be released Thursday details the extent to which this kind of donating is the sport of the One Percent.
In the media
Bill Turque

New Report On Secret Money and Super PACs in 2012 Election

WASHINGTON – The Top 5 “dark money” spenders on presidential election ads have reported less than 1% of their spending to the FEC, which is all that is required by the agency’s insufficient standards, according to a new report analyzing the latest campaign filings. "Today’s outside spending groups
Press release/statement