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Structural Reform and Governance

Democracy Policy

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. 

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.

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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. 

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We can mend our national division In the News

We can mend our national division

In an op-ed published by The Baltimore Sun, Michael Sozan, Cissy Jackson, and the Cato Institute’s Walter Olson offer guidance on how to turn down the temperature in this fraught political moment.

The Baltimore Sun

Michael Sozan, Cissy Jackson, Walter Olson

Available in Spanish via the Cato Institute. Click here.

The Supreme Court’s Presidential Immunity Case, the Threat to Democracy, and the Path Forward Past Event

The Supreme Court’s Presidential Immunity Case, the Threat to Democracy, and the Path Forward

Please join the Center for American Progress for a virtual event that will address the threats the current U.S. Supreme Court and a future president could pose to the foundation of American democracy.

Devon Ombres, Erwin Chemerinsky, Akhil Reed Amar, 2 More Tess Bridgeman, Ben Olinsky

Project 2025 Would End DHS Law Enforcement Training Article
U.S. Capitol Police recruits work out in a line

Project 2025 Would End DHS Law Enforcement Training

The Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers would be collateral damage in Project 2025’s proposed dismantling of the Department of Homeland Security.

Tom Moore

Voting Rights in Alabama Past Event

Voting Rights in Alabama

The Legacy of the Civil Rights Movement, the Battle Against Voter Suppression Today, and the Need for Federal Solutions

How the Racist History of the Filibuster Lives on Today Report
Photo shows the Capitol building against a background of dark gray storm clouds

How the Racist History of the Filibuster Lives on Today

By blocking the passage of the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, the filibuster continues its long history as an institutional tool used to oppress Black and brown Americans.

Greta Bedekovics

Citizens United Gave Corporations, But Not Their Boards, the Authority To Spend in Candidate Elections Report
U.S. Supreme Court

Citizens United Gave Corporations, But Not Their Boards, the Authority To Spend in Candidate Elections

Since 2010, corporate boards and management have been handing over the constitutional rights of individual U.S.-citizen shareholders to large shareholders and foreign nationals; shareholders can put a stop to this, and lawmakers, regulators, and courts can help them.

Tom Moore, Alexandra Thornton

The Protection of Voting Rights Requires State Action Report
Photo shows a red sign with blue text that reads

The Protection of Voting Rights Requires State Action

As legislation on voting rights awaits action in Congress—and states continue to pass restrictive, discriminatory voting policies and the courts strip federal voter protections—states must step up and protect the right to vote.

Rebecca Mears

5 Reasons Why Careening From Near Shutdown to Near Shutdown Is Bad for America Article
The waning Snow Moon sets behind the U.S. Capitol Dome.

5 Reasons Why Careening From Near Shutdown to Near Shutdown Is Bad for America

While avoiding a federal government shutdown is important, the chaos of constant shutdown threats; uncertainties about funding; and patchwork continuing resolutions are still detrimental for the government’s ability to provide services and the health of American democracy.

Lily Roberts, Greta Bedekovics

2024 Hawaii Bill Would Limit Political Spending by Foreign-Influenced U.S. Corporations Testimony

2024 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. 3243, a bill that would strengthen campaign-related spending disclosure requirements and limit political spending by U.S. corporations with appreciable foreign ownership.

Michael Sozan

2024 Washington Bill Would Limit Political Spending by Foreign-Influenced U.S. Corporations Testimony

2024 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 H.B. 1885, a bill that would strengthen campaign-related spending disclosure requirements and limit political spending by U.S. corporations with appreciable foreign ownership.

Michael Sozan

Extinguishing the Fires of Political Violence Past Event

Extinguishing the Fires of Political Violence

A Bipartisan Discussion About Current Threats and Potential Solutions, cosponsored by the McCain Institute

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