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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

Election Day Registration in Nebraska

By passing EDR legislation, Nebraska would be taking a major step towards expanding access to the democratic process to all Nebraskans.

Testimony and Public Comment
Stuart Comstock-Gay

In the Red or In the Black? Understanding the Relationship Between Household Debt and Assets

In the Red or In the Black? looks at whether household savings serve to protect families from incurring unsecured debt, and in turn, whether the presence of unsecured debt acts as a barrier to savings and wealth accumulation.
Research
Jose Garcia

An Analysis of Voter Fraud in The United States: Adapted from the 2003 Report, Securing The Vote

Since the 2000 election, a historic effort has been underway in the United States to strengthen voting systems across all 50 states and to address obstacles to broader electoral participation. At both the federal and state levels, however, efforts to advance a reform agenda have been frequently

Research
Lorraine Minnite
David Callahan

Anatomy of a Successful Campaign for Election Day Registration in Iowa

With the governor Chet Culver's pen stroke, Iowa became the eighth state in the nation to extend the franchise to otherwise eligible citizens who had not yet registered to vote at the close of voter registration deadlines. This report recounts the successful implementation of Election Day
Research
Steven Carbó

By a Thread: The New Experience of America's Middle Class

Developed in collaboration with the Institute on Assets and Social Policy at Brandeis University, By a Thread: The New Experience of America's Middle Class looks at the financial security of the middle class using the innovative Middle Class Security Index, rating household stability across five
Research
Tamara Draut
Jennifer Wheary
Thomas M. Shapiro

A Fallible "Fail-Safe": An Analysis of Provisional Balloting Problems in the 2006 Election

A Fallible 'Fail-Safe' provides a snapshot of provisional balloting problems experienced by voters across the nation in November 2006, as reported by Election Protection volunteers. While provisional ballots may comprise only a fraction of the national vote, as this report shows, they determined the
Research
Scott Novakowski

Election Day Registration: A Ground Level View

Results of a telephone survey of local election officials in Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Research
Steven Carbó
Stuart Comstock-Gay
Regina M. Eaton

Voters Win with Election Day Registration: Election Day Registration Was Successful in Several States During the 2006 Mid-term Elections

Election Day Registration (EDR), sometimes called “same day registration” (SDR), allows eligible voters to register and cast a ballot on Election Day. Nine states currently have EDR or SDR laws. Maine, Minnesota and Wisconsin adopted EDR in the 1970s. Idaho, New Hampshire and Wyoming enacted
Policy Briefs

Miles Rapoport's Testimony on Election Day Voter Registration

Demos president Miles Rapoport testifies before the U.S. House Administration Sub-Committee on Elections regarding Election Day Registration and provisional voting.
Testimony and Public Comment
Miles Rapoport

Election Day Voter Registration: Testimony of Miles Rapoport

Demos President Miles Rapoport delivers testimony on EDR before the U.S. House Administration Sub-committee on Elections, November 9, 2007                          
Testimony and Public Comment
Miles Rapoport