Democracy reform in the United States has brought on a renewed, immediate focus as presidential, congressional and state elections turn out to be more and more hard-fought and closely determined. From basic concerns about election procedures to fundamental concerns about full and equal representation, political leaders and also the American individuals are involved in a national dialogue about the well being of American democracy not seen in a generation or more. In the same time that new opportunities to restore fairness and integrity to our elections emerge, partisans on the federal and state levels are promoting regressive policies that will deteriorate voting rights and control electoral participation for many years ahead.
Demos works to strengthen democracy in the United States for the 21st century. The Democracy Plan at Demos undertakes timely analysis, supports advocacy campaigns, engages in litigation and supports educational campaigns to advance a diverse and inclusive democracy reform movement across the U.S. We focus mainly on state-level reforms, where opportunities for policy alter are most pronounced. Demos is especially concerned about reform efforts that will lower barriers for populations which have historically been disfranchised from the political process. Additionally, Demos is looking for new means of encouraging broader participation in the political method, via new utilizes of social media and other forms of civic engagement.
At any 1 time, Demos will have a particular focus on a couple of specific reforms. The toolbar at the left shows our current high priority campaigns. For more info, click on any in the links to the left, or contact any of the staff beneath.
Along with advocacy and research initiatives, the Democracy Plan publishes Democracy Dispatches, a periodic e-newsletter and weblog that provides information about Demos’ work on voting rights, election reform and democracy-related issues in the United States.
Can New York Be Model for Democracy Reform? With the Citizens United ruling 1 year ago, Chief Justice Roberts and the Koch Brothers’ allies on the Supreme Court made an already lousy US campaign finance method a lot worse. In the 2010 midterms, we saw the floodgates open to unlimited corporate funding of candidates, and the facts on issues-as nicely as the voices of ordinary Americans-were frequently drowned out by record-breaking covert and corporate money. Bill Moyers got it right when he stated this Large unique interest cash “is a dagger directed in the heart of our democracy?
Now we’re seeing conservatives use the Supremes’ choice to challenge powerful public campaign financing laws in Arizona and Connecticut. Also, the wholesale modifications in governorships and legislatures may well bring attacks on good clean election laws in North Carolina, Maine, Wisconsin and New Mexico.
This dramatic assault on American democracy makes the positive signals on campaign finance reform coming out of New York State all the more striking. In his State of the State address, newly elected Governor Andrew Cuomo said plainly, “We need public financing of campaigns. We should once again turn out to be the progressive capitol in the nation.” The Governor also included public finance as part of an “ethics package” in the official agenda his Administration is pursuing.
Both Caplan and Nyhart praise organizations and reform leaders working on this issue in New York as especially powerful advocates. Citizen Action of New York, Operating Families Party, Common Cause, NYPIRG, the Brennan Center-as Caplan puts it, “They are all politically astute, knowledgeable, influential, and can mobilize significant grassroots efforts.”
Other groups like the National Organization of Women, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, Rock the Vote, and Individuals for the American Way are on board too, pledging their support and resources to work for reform. New York in fact has a chance to serve as a model for the nation in raising the voices of its citizens.