Demos

Mission: To “reduce both political and economic inequality, deploying original research, advocacy, litigation, and strategic communications to create the America the people deserve.”

Demos is a progressive think-tank conceived of by Charles Halpern, founder of the first U.S. public interest law firm. Its research and public-policy advocacy focus on election reform, economic security, sustainability, and alternative measures of economic progress. On social media, Demos has over 84,000 followers.

Year Founded: 2000 • (212) 633-1405 • comm@demos.org • demos.org

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Current Democracy Work

Demos focuses on reducing the role of wealth and corporate power in politics and policy and on expanding Americans’ freedom to vote. They do this work by matching powerful but easily accessible policy analysis and articles with the efforts of on-the-ground change-makers to “bring policy closer to the people” as they build support for reform.

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Recent Successes

A 2005 lawsuit against the state of Ohio for failing to protect the rights of eligible Ohio voters to cast meaningful ballots (as required by the 14th Amendment) resulted in a binding settlement that requires the state to ensure consistency in Ohio election procedures. Additionally, Demos’ work has helped over two million low-income citizens register to vote.

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Your Entry Points

Sign up for the Demos newsletter and pore over the many reports published on Demos’ website. Demos provides exceptional policy analysis on topics beyond money in politics as well, with all of its work geared to convey high-level analysis in easily accessible ways.