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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

Crossing Divides: New Common Ground on Poverty and Economic Security

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 conservative policymakers.
Policy Briefs
Tamara Draut

The Conflicted American

Keynote address to the National Network of Grantmakers about public opinion of poverty and inequality, given by Tamara Draut, Director of Demos's Economic Opportunity program.
Testimony and Public Comment
Tamara Draut

Expanding the Vote: The Practice and Promise of Election Day Registration

This report examines election day registration (EDR), an important reform measure that would help address some of the problems highlighted by the 2000 election. Currently, six states have election day registration - Wisconsin, Maine, Minnesota, Idaho, Wyoming and New Hampshire. As the research
Research
David Callahan

Expandiendo el Voto

  Spanish translation of "California Votes," an analysis of how implementing Election Day Registraion would affect California.  
Research

California Votes

ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION WILL PRODUCE HIGHER VOTER PARTICIPATION IN CALIFORNIA.
Research

Overdue Reform: The Need for Statewide Computerized Voter Registration Systems

Anyone who has ever been stopped by a state trooper for a traffic violation knows that the computer systems used to maintain motor vehicle records are very technologically advanced. Sitting in their patrol cars, state troopers can instantly access vast amounts of centralized data about motorists. A
Research

Democracy's New Challenge: Globalization, Governance, and the Future of American Federalism

In this groundbreaking report, Columbia University professor Mark Gordon grapples with one of the most important questions facing American democracy: What exactly is globalization and how is it affecting the ability of Americans to govern themselves through traditional civic processes? By focusing
Research

Democracy and the New Federalism

On June 22 and 23, 2000, Demos convened a national workshop in New York City on “Democracy and the New Federalism”. The workshop was comprised of a diverse group of elected officials, community organizers, researchers, and policy analysts. In this report, we summarize and reflect on the insights
Research