The Democracy Policy team is advancing an agenda to win structural reforms that strengthen the U.S. system and give everyone an equal voice in the democratic process.
Protestors raise their fists during a rally on the National Mall before the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., April 2006. (Getty/Mandel NGAN/AFP)
What we're doing
Safeguarding democracy by enacting bold structural reforms
To build a multiracial representative democracy, we need bold structural reforms that expand participation. We are leading policy analysis and research, communications, and advocacy to pass voting rights and democracy reform legislation in Congress to help defend democracy from the serious threats it faces.
Combating democratic decay and disinformation
We are leading cross-institutional work to combat the erosion of trust in government and in our elections—spread in part by the big lie about the 2020 election and a broader strategy by conservatives employed for decades.
We are part of the 200+-organization Declaration for American Democracy coalition, the largest coalition of progressive groups assembled to fight for democracy reform—including intersectional advocacy, membership, and policy groups.
Prominent Conservatives Warn About Dangerous Potential Repercussions of Moore v. Harper
Conservative experts are sending sharp warnings that the meritless independent state legislature theory could undermine democracy and should be rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court and other courts.
Washington Bill Would Limit Political Spending by Foreign-Influenced U.S. Corporations
Michael Sozan, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, filed written testimony before the Washington State House in support of S.B. 5284, a bill that would strengthen campaign-related spending disclosure requirements and limit political spending by U.S. corporations with appreciable foreign ownership.
Hawaii Bill Would Limit Political Spending by Foreign-Influenced U.S. Corporations
Michael Sozan, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, filed written testimony before the Hawaii Senate in support of S.B. 1179, a bill that would limit political spending by U.S. corporations with appreciable foreign ownership.
California Bill Would Limit Political Spending by Foreign-Influenced U.S. Corporations
Michael Sozan, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, filed written testimony before the California State Assembly in support of A.B. 83, a bill that would limit political spending by U.S. corporations with appreciable foreign ownership.
Minnesota Bill Would Limit Political Spending by Foreign-Influenced U.S. Corporations
Michael Sozan, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, filed written testimony before the Minnesota House of Representatives’ Committee on Elections Finance and Policy in support of H.F. 117, a bill to stop political spending by foreign-influenced U.S. corporations.
Supreme Court Oral Arguments in Moore v. Harper Discredit Election Theory That Could Undermine Democracy
Litigants’ oral arguments, along with questions from Supreme Court justices, revealed that the independent state legislature theory is meritless and should be rejected.
Supreme Court Decision in Moore v. Harper Could Harm Free and Fair Elections
This video explainer details the facts behind the Moore v. Harper case, its underlying arguments, and the harmful consequences for democracy if the Supreme Court's conservative majority overlooks history and precedent.
Congress Must Pass the Preventing a Patronage System Act To Protect Federal Civil Servants’ Impartiality
Passage of the Preventing a Patronage System Act is critical to allow civil servants to do their jobs and to ensure the federal government’s stability, reliability, and authority in domestic functions and international relations.
9 Ways the Supreme Court’s Decision in Moore v. Harper Could Harm Democracy
If the Supreme Court’s extreme conservative majority adopts the discredited independent state legislature theory, it could pose a huge setback for free and fair elections.
Election Deniers Lost Key Races for Federal and State Offices in the 2022 Midterm Elections
Candidates who questioned or denied the outcome of the 2020 presidential election lost key races in the midterms as voters across the country elected pro-democracy candidates.
New Allegations of a Leak by Justice Alito Underscore the Need for Supreme Court Reform
Shocking allegations that Justice Samuel Alito leaked the decision in the 2014 Supreme Court Hobby Lobby case must catalyze a bipartisan effort to reform the court and impose a binding, enforceable code of ethics on its justices.
Here are the reasons why state spending of federal election funding is significant, why some states are not spending it as quickly as some policymakers want, and why Congress must continue to invest in funding federal elections.
Elections Must Be Secure and Accessible for All in the Wake of Natural Disasters and Events
Hurricane Ian was just the latest in a series of natural disasters and events that have disrupted elections; it’s past time we make elections climate resistant.
Finding Common Ground to Address Threats to Our Elections
Please join the Center for American Progress for a virtual event that will assess the current threats to our elections, analyze what state officials are doing to address the issues, and explore how Americans can come together to safeguard our democracy.
The Supreme Court Censoring History and Race Would Be a Mistake
Race-conscious remedies, such as voting rights protections and affirmative action in college admissions, are supported by the Constitution, are a part of American history, and are essential to equal opportunity.
Trump Is at the Center of the Multistep Scheme To Overturn a Valid Election
The January 6 committee provided more strong proof that Donald Trump masterminded the wide-ranging conspiracy to hold on to presidential power—and voted to issue a subpoena to force Trump to testify.
Protecting Election Workers and Officials From Threats and Harassment During the Midterms
As the 2022 general election gets underway, it’s critical that those on the front lines of our democracy—election workers and officials—are able to safely and effectively do their jobs to ensure that voters can cast ballots and that elections are freely and fairly administered.
Poll Workers Are Indispensable to the November Election
An estimated 1 million poll workers, who will voluntarily help administer this year’s election, are essential to strengthening our democracy and preserving the hallowed right to vote.
