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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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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
Row of empty voting booths in a school gym

Missing Voters: The Real Threat to Alabama's Democracy

More than 815,000 Alabamians are missing from the electoral process. In this report, Stand Up Mobile, Dēmos, and Southern Coalition for Social Justice examine who's missing, why, and what Alabama must do to fix it.

Research
Beverly Cooper
Dustin Tyler Broughton
Keshia Morris Desir
Jens Manuel Krogstad
Lucy Krueger
Sarah Ovaska

Reclaiming Public Discourse About Taxes

On March 29th, 2011 Public Works hosted a webinar on ways to take advantage of tax season as an opportunity to communicate a different story about the role of taxes in our country. While it focuses on Tax Freedom Day, it includes universal examples for any situation. This guide provides strategies
Research
Public Works

Voter Identification In Kansas: A Misplaced Priority

Kansas is considering a bill to require all voters to present government issued photo identification at the polls. It has more important problems.

Policy Briefs
Tova Wang
Jennifer Lohr

Hearing at the Maryland General Assembly Ways and Means Committee on Registration and Voting at Polling Places

Testimony of Allegra Chapman Counsel, Demos
Testimony and Public Comment

Election Day Voter Registration In Hawaii 2011

We have analyzed the likely impact on voter turnout should Hawaii adopt Election Day Registration (EDR). Under the system proposed in Hawaii, eligible voters who miss the current 30-day deadline for registering by mail may be able to register to vote on Election Day. The availability of Election Day
Policy Briefs
Jonathan Nagler

Understanding the Debt Difference: Why Some Low-And Middle-Income Working Families Have Credit Card Debt And Others Don't

Americans use credit cards millions of times every day. The convenience and utility of revolving credit has become a way of life for most families. However for some, it has also become a lifeline.
Policy Briefs
Jose Garcia
Jennifer Wheary

Testimony Senior Program Director Steven Carbo, Demos on Hawaii HB 343

Hearing of the Hawaii House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary February 10, 2011
Testimony and Public Comment
Steven Carbó

Voter Identification In Missouri: A Misplaced Priority

Missouri is considering a bill requiring all voters to present government issued photo identification at the polls. The fact that Missouri is introducing a restrictive voter identification bill is particularly unfortunate considering the legislature passed such a bill in 2006 and it was struck down

Policy Briefs
Tova Andrea Wang
Youjin B. Kim

Voter Identification In Wisconsin: A Misplaced Priority

Strong voter participation and engagement are fundamental to a healthy democracy. Efforts to restrict access to voting fly in the face of this important goal. Alarmingly, despite another midterm election in which nationally only 41 percent of eligible persons voted, many states are now renewing
Policy Briefs
Tova Andrea Wang

Community College Students and Grant Aid: Bringing Equity To The Provision Of Grant Aid By States and Institutions

In order to reverse the troubling low graduation rates at our nation’s community colleges, low-income students must stop being financially penalized for attending these institutions. As this brief outlines, low-income students who attend community college receive less state and institutional grant
Policy Briefs
Viany Orozco
Lucy Mayo

Voter Identification Fact Sheet

Strong voter participation and engagement are fundamental to a healthy democracy.  Efforts to restrict access to voting fly in the face of this important goal.  Yet, despite another midterm election in November 2010 in which only 41 percent of eligible persons voted, numerous states are now facing
Policy Briefs
Tova Andrea Wang
Youjin B. Kim