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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

Punishing at the Polls: The Case Against Disenfranchising Citizens With Felony Convictions

Political scientist Alec Ewald sheds new light on the fundamentally undemocratic nature of felony disenfranchisement laws. Tracing the history of these laws from ancient Europe to their racist application in the post Civil War U.S., Ewald concludes that felony disenfranchisement laws are in profound
Research

HAVA Implementation in the 50 States: A Summary of State Implementation Plans

A comprehensive summary of plans in each state for implementation of the Help America Vote Act, focusing mainly on the issues which will most directly affect voters.
Research

Personal Stories of Borrowing to Make Ends Meet

This paper present profiles of Americans struggling with credit card debt and bankruptcy, due to economic insecurity.
Research
Tamara Draut

Borrowing to Make Ends Meet - Executive Summary

A concise executive summary of a report that explores how families are increasingly using credit cards to meet their basic needs. Also examines the factors driving this record-setting debt and the impact of deregulation on the cost, availability and marketing of credit cards.
Research
Tamara Draut
Javier Silva

Borrowing to Make Ends Meet: The Growth of Credit Card Debt in the '90s

Using new data, this report explores how families are increasingly using credit cards to meet their basic needs. This report also examines the factors driving this record-setting debt and the impact of deregulation on the cost, availability and marketing of credit cards.

Research
Tamara Draut
Javier Silva

Borrowing to Make Ends Meet: The Growth of Credit Card Debt in the '90s

Using new data, this report explores how families are increasingly using credit cards to meet their basic needs. This report also examines the factors driving this record-setting debt and the impact of deregulation on the cost, availability and marketing of credit cards.
Research
Tamara Draut
Javier Silva

Demos' Testimony at Massachusetts Hearing on EDR

Testimony before the Massachusetts General Court Joint Committee on Election Laws regarding Election Day Registration.
Testimony and Public Comment

Securing the Vote: An Analysis of Election Fraud

An in-depth study of election fraud issues and the policy requirements of the Help America Vote Act.

Research
Lorraine Minnite
David Callahan

New Opportunities? Public Opinion on Poverty, Income Inequality and Public Policy, 1996-2002

The following report analyzes public opinion between 1996 and 2001. The report draws on over a dozen suveys commissioned by non-profit organizations, media outlets and foundations, as well as from two regularly conducted academic surveys. The results outlined in this report indicate that while long
Research
Tamara Draut

Crossing Divides: Executive Summary

The Executive Summary of the full report, Crossing Divides, examining four cases of policymaking during the 1990s -- the Earned Income Tax Credit, Individual Development Accounts, the Children's Health Insurance Plan, and Empowerment Zones -- suggests some emerging common ground among liberal and
Policy Briefs
Tamara Draut