Who We Are

Center for Inclusive Democracy (CID), formerly California Civic Engagement Project, is a nonpartisan research center serving the U.S. Founded and directed by Dr. Mindy S. Romero, CID moved to the USC Price School of Public Policy, Sacramento, California in 2018. 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. Inclusive civic and political participation is critical in addressing disparities in social and economic well-being, and can improve health, education and employment outcomes.

CID has become a go-to source for electoral and civic engagement research, including the examination of nationally relevant election reforms such as automatic voter registration, online voter registration and vote centers. Legislators, public agencies, advocates, researchers, media (state and national) and community leaders use its pioneering research to track disparities and opportunities in civic participation by place and population.


OUR Mission

CID’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 policy and on-the-ground organizing efforts through education and outreach for a more engaged, transparent and representative democracy. 

OUR GOALS

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. CID research is intended to inform and empower a wide range of policy and organizing efforts, supporting equity and well-being throughout the nation.

Why is CID important?

Inclusive civic engagement is critical in addressing disparities in social and economic well-being, and can improve health, education and employment outcomes. CID research also helps explore non-traditional measures of civic engagement, particularly among groups historically underrepresented in our civic and political institutions.

Who uses cID?

CID has become a go-to source for electoral and civic engagement research, examining nationally relevant election reforms such as automatic voter registration, online voter registration and vote centers. Legislators, public agencies, advocates, researchers, community leaders, as well as local, state, national and international media use its pioneering research to track disparities and opportunities in civic participation by place and population. CID partners with non-partisan civic engagement groups to increase political participation among young voters and other underrepresented groups.

Want to learn more about CID?

Access our CID Publications, learn about CID’s national advisory committee, or review the extensive coverage of CID’s work in the media. For questions, contact Director Mindy Romero at msromero@usc.edu.