A new chapter has begun for the Center for Inclusive Democracy.

Today, the Center for Inclusive Democracy (CID) transitions to an independent national organization, building on the strong foundation we developed with previous affiliations at UC Davis and, most recently, at USC.

This moment is about stepping up for democracy. As the broader landscape shifts and institutions of all kinds, including academia, are being constrained, it’s become increasingly important to ensure that our nonpartisan work continues to grow with the focus, integrity, and stability that this moment for our democracy demands. 

The Center's independence allows us to protect the mission and vision that have guided us from our beginning 16 years ago: advancing inclusive democracy through rigorous research, trusted data and meaningful engagement.

This new chapter empowers us to secure the best of both worlds: deep collaboration and academic rigor, paired with the independence needed to move decisively in a time when democracy itself requires vigilance and the ability to act quickly. In a period when so much is uncertain, one thing is not—our responsibility to protect and strengthen democratic participation and representation. This transition ensures we can meet that responsibility, fully and without compromise.

Read our full statement on the transition here.

Today, we are also honored to welcome three democracy champions to our national advisory board:

Clarissa Martinez De Castro

Vice President, Latino Vote Initiative

UnidosUS

Ditas Katague 

Former Associate Director for Communications and Engagement

U.S. Census Bureau

Tova Wang

Director of Research Projects in Democratic Practice

Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation

Harvard Kennedy School of Government

Consider supporting our mission here.

In partnership, 

Mindy Romero, Ph.D.,

CID Founder and Director

Sierra Health Foundation—a private philanthropy focused on promoting health, racial equity and racial justice with communities and organizations—will partner with and invest in CID in its new capacity, with its Center at Sierra Health Foundation serving as CID's new fiscal sponsor. 

"We are honored that the Center for Inclusive Democracy (CID) will be partnering with The Center at Sierra Health Foundation as CID steps forward as an independent national organization. At Sierra Health Foundation, our mission is rooted in advancing equity, dignity and the health of all Californians—work that is inseparable from a truly inclusive democracy. Hosting CID at the Center at Sierra Health Foundation enables them to continue the rigorous, nonpartisan research and trusted data work for which they are nationally known, at a moment when our democracy requires vigilance, clarity and a renewed sense of purpose. We are excited to collaborate more closely and to support this critical work as, together, we strengthen democratic participation, representation and the wellbeing of communities across California and the nation."

- Chet P. Hewitt, President and CEO, Sierra Health Foundation

We are thankful for the many statements of support and congratulations from our esteemed colleagues in the pro-democracy field…

Click here to read their statements.



• Alex Padilla, United States Senator
• Mike Madrid, Political Analyst, Founder of the "Latino Working Class Project"
• Archon Fung, Ph.D., Director, Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
• Tani Cantil-Sakauye, President and CEO, Public Policy Institute of California, Chief Justice of CA (retired)
• James Woodson, CEO, California Black Power Network
• Judd Choate, Director, Division of Elections, Colorado Department of State
• Jenny Farrell, Executive Director, League of Women Voters of California
• Raúl Macías, Democracy Program Director, Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund.
• Erica Bernal-Martinez, Chief Executive Officer, NALEO Educational Fund
• Thomas Hicks, Chair, U.S. Election Assistance Commission
• Thad Kousser. Ph.D., Professor of Political Science, Co-director of the Yankelovich Center, Co-director of the Center for Trust in Elections, University of California, San Diego.
• Andy Imparato, CEO, Disability Rights California
• Clarissa Martinez De Castro, Vice President, Latino Vote Initiative, UnidosUS
• Darius L. Kemp, MPA, Executive Director, California Common Cause

From Disillusioned to Fired up

Many Americans struggle to feel like their vote translates into meaningful representation for themselves and their community. Democracy Reimagined examines what’s actually happening within American democracy. Every month, we’ll have honest, direct conversations about how the U.S. political system really works, with a straightforward focus on the parts most people don’t talk about. Host Mindy Romero, CID Director, brings in guests who are challenging co-opted and broken systems, helping listeners get informed and connect with efforts creating meaningful change.

This show is for people who are frustrated or angry with politics and ready to do something about it. We explore reform proposals, the people advancing them, and the institutional barriers standing in their way. Through stories, analysis, and candid conversations, we reveal how power really operates and why so many Americans feel disconnected from the systems and democratic institutions meant to serve them. Together, we explore pathways toward a more representative democracy that delivers equitable outcomes and puts communities first.

Join us if you're ready to move beyond frustration and into action alongside people who are speaking truth to power and working to build a democracy that truly represents the people.

Become among the first to subscribe later this month!

The Center for Inclusive Democracy’s mission to improve the social and economic quality of life and advance a more engaged, responsive, and representative democracy through research and outreach remains unchanged.

As a newly independent organization, we will continue producing nonpartisan, data-driven research that informs policy and on-the-ground community organizing through education and outreach, just as we have since 2010.

As a go-to source for electoral and civic engagement leaders and researchers, we will continue to play a leading role in improving the quality and quantity of publicly available research on civic and political engagement, and identifying emerging trends

Learn more about CID’s Impactful work over the past decade and a half.

We believe that the current electoral landscape demands new and unique strategies, as well as user-friendly community data tools that can empower individuals and groups to participate in civic and political action.

That’s why a key component of our work moving forward will be expanding our community education and partnerships. We plan to further the reach and impact of our research with dedicated educational outreach and communication programs, complemented by direct data support.

In addition to our existing nonpartisan research, we aim to:

1.      Identify and explore emerging trends in the democracy field, and help our partners anticipate what’s next.

2.      Launch new educational outreach programs to get information into the hands of the public and communities across the country.

3.      Engage and empower community members directly by providing customized data and tools that they need to take action.

Learn more here.

Stay tuned for more projects and partnerships announced soon! 

The Center for Inclusive Democracy's mission is to improve the social and economic quality of life in U.S. communities by producing non-partisan, data-driven research that informs and empowers a wide range of policy and on-the-ground organizing efforts through education and outreach for a more engaged, transparent and representative democracy. CID conducts a range of national and multi-state research initiatives exploring voting behavior, civic engagement, electoral reforms, voting rights, deliberative dialogue, and more.