January 2022
ENGAGE!
CID Newsletter
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Reflecting on 2021 – And What’s Ahead for CID!
Last year was an incredibly eventful one for all of us here at the Center for Inclusive Democracy. While typically an off-year for election-related activities, 2021 was anything but typical in terms of the attention and spotlight it brought on critical issues of our time -- from the notion of democracy itself, to voting rights legislation and election controversies, to the efficacy of recalls and beyond.
Throughout 2021, CID was active on all fronts in support of our mission to promote free, fair and representative elections across the U.S., and issued a number of critical data-driven research reports on elections and voting, including:
In 2021, CID updated our Voting Location Siting Tool with the latest election and demographic data. Successfully rolled out in 10 states during that election period, this web-based, interactive platform helps identify voting locations and enhance targeted public outreach. It is now being expanded to four additional states -- Ohio, Virginia, Nevada and Hawaii -- in time for the 2022 Midterm Elections. Stay tuned for announcements on the Siting Tool updates and rollouts in the coming weeks.
Participation in broader discussions about our electorate and electoral systems was a focus of this past year as well. In addition to participation in dozens of presentations and speakers’ panels, CID’s Director Mindy Romero served as a frequent source for the press. Quoted in more than 1,000 media stories during 2021, she regularly shared insights and research on everything from voting behaviors, to the Latino and youth vote, to the California recall election.
As we begin the new year, CID and its committed research team will be focused on the 2022 Midterm Elections, working to provide both election officials and community advocates with data, research, and support to help inform voter participation and engagement.
As always, the CID team greatly appreciates all of our financial supporters and research partners whose generous support and collaboration allow us to continue producing important election and voting research and tools. There has never been a more critical time in our democracy to have accurate data and non-partisan research accessible and available to inform public policy at all levels.
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Q&A: Is There a Future for Voting-Rights Reform? |
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After a failure of Democratic voting-rights legislation, Wendy Weiser, vice president of the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, talks about options for safeguarding elections. The Brennan Center is one of many progressive nonprofit groups that encouraged Democrats to push for voting and election reform this past year. |
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In a Georgia County, Deep Distrust Over a Plan to Close Polling Places |
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Since legislation to expand voting rights was blocked in Washington, local residents debate a plan from officials in Lincoln County, Ga., who say they want to streamline and modernize their voting system.
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Ohio League of Women Voters
On January 31st, the CID Siting Tool team will demonstrate the new Ohio Voting Location Siting Tool to league members and other Ohio voting advocates convened by the Ohio League of Women Voters.
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Ohio Elections Conference
On January 14th, CID Director Mindy Romero presented the new Ohio Voting Location Siting Tool to the Ohio Association of Election Officials.
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On January 16th, Mindy Romero was the featured speaker at the "2022 Speaker Series: Why Don't more Arkansans Vote?" Dr. Romero addressed this question and shared state-specific data with attendees. |
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Earlier this month, CID Director Mindy Romero participated in an in-depth panel discussing the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection, and its implications for democracy and the upcoming Midterm elections.
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Below is a selection of recent CID media coverage:
Los Angeles Times
“If Latinos are left behind, that’s going to have a significant impact on California’s overall economy,” CID’s Mindy Romero told reporter Karen Kaplan at the LA Times. “You can’t leave behind your most populous community.”
LAist
CID’s Romero talked with LAist reporter Libby Denkmann about California’s Citizens Redistricting Commission, and the need to assure that the process is one that won’t disenfranchise California's historically underrepresented groups.
Newsweek
The article examines the different approaches taken in two recent political races: Governor Gavin Newsom’s recall in California, and the November 2021 Governor’s race in Virginia, in which the Democratic nominee Terry McAuliffe lost. Even beating back the recall, Newsom needs to do more to develop a national profile beyond California if he has presidential aspirations, said CID’s Romero.
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Many of our partners and supporters are hiring. Check out the job opportunities below: |
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Center for Inclusive Democracy |
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The Center for Inclusive Democracy (CID), formerly known as the California Civic Engagement Project (CCEP), is part of the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy and is based in Sacramento. CID conducts a range of national and multi-state research initiatives exploring voting behavior, civic engagement, electoral and economic research, the intersection of social justice and democracy, and more. Its research informs and empowers a wide range of policy and organizing efforts aimed at eliminating disparities in social and economic well-being. Now a cornerstone project nested within CID’s larger umbrella, the CCEP continues to produce groundbreaking resources and research for California. |
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