A Healthy Democracy

America was founded on the idea that our democratic institutions are the means by which the voices of all citizens can be heard. At Demos, we are working to create a vibrant and inclusive democracy that encourages participation in voting, with a fair election system that works in the voters' interests, and greater civic engagement in solving the social and political needs of our communities, states, nation and the world around us.

Specifically, Demos envisions a political system where the voices of all Americans--candidates and voters, poor as well as rich, people of color, the elderly, and the disabled--are heard loud and clear. Americans have now experienced three successive national elections that have demonstrated the need for serious repair of our election processes. We are also experiencing a resurgence of interest in our democracy and our politics, reflected both in higher voter turnout in recent years and in the large number of newly engaged citizens making their voices heard on critical issues. It is important to capture this energy. The Democracy Program at Demos, along with key Demos Fellows work to critically examine problems in our election systems and opportunities for reform, propose effective and reasonable solutions, and act boldly on their behalf.