Reflective Democracy Campaign - Harnessing data and activism

Research, Analysis, and Resources to Build a Just and Equitable Democracy

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Understanding the demographics of political power is essential to understanding the dynamics of the historic 2024 election. Read the Report

Democracy Facts from the Reflective Democracy Campaign

When it comes to democracy, facts speak louder than memes and misinformation. Our decade of data offers unparalleled insights into the demographics of political power — today, and over time.

Minority Rule

What do Louisiana & New York have in common?

In both, white men are less than 1/3rd of the population, but more than 2/3rds of state and federal elected officials.

Who Leads Us?

In West Virginia, 87% of state legislators are men.

Justice for All?

Nationwide, 93% of elected prosecutors are white.

System Failure

In the last general election, 52% of Georgia’s state legislature contests were won by candidates who ran unopposed.

Millions of Georgia voters had no choice.

State of Georgia with an icon of an exclamation point in a triangle on it.

Democracy, Emerging

Across the country, white men are 30% of the population.

Since 2014, their share of state legislature seats dropped from 65% to 56%

A graphic with the number 65% on the left and the number 56% on the right. An arrow goes from the 65 to the 56 and the 56 is circled in orange.

Minority Rule

In nine state legislatures, women hold fewer than 25% of seats.

That’s progress. Just a decade ago, women held fewer than 25% of seats in 14 state legislatures.

Who Leads Us?

In eighteen state legislatures, men hold over 70% of seats. In six of these states, they are 80% or more of state legislators.

Icons of Arkansas, North Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming.

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Our Findings in Focus

We investigate who holds power, and work with grassroots organizations to build a more equitable democracy.

Explore Our Research

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Building a Real Democracy

We track shifts in the demographics of power, and help forge a multi-racial democracy where women lead. See what we uncover when we dig deep into the data.