Social Justice

1. Criminal Justice Reform:
Ending Mass Incarceration: The Democratic Party seeks to reduce mass incarceration, particularly for nonviolent offenses. They advocate for alternatives to incarceration, such as rehabilitation, mental health services, and drug treatment programs.

Police Reform and Accountability: Democrats emphasize the need for comprehensive police reform, including banning chokeholds, establishing national standards for the use of force, and improving police accountability through body cameras and civilian oversight. The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act is a key piece of legislation supported by the party.

Addressing Racial Disparities: Democrats are committed to addressing racial disparities within the criminal justice system, noting that Black and Latino Americans are disproportionately affected by harsher sentences and police violence. They support efforts to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences and reform sentencing laws that disproportionately affect people of color.

Private Prisons and Cash Bail: The party supports eliminating private, for-profit prisons and ending the cash bail system, which they argue unfairly punishes the poor. They believe reforms should focus on creating a more equitable justice system that prioritizes fairness over profit.

2. Voting Rights:
Protecting and Expanding Voting Access: Democrats advocate for expanding access to voting through reforms such as automatic voter registration, same-day registration, and no-excuse mail-in voting. They support efforts to make Election Day a national holiday to ensure that more Americans can participate in the democratic process.

Restoring the Voting Rights Act: A key priority for the Democratic Party is restoring and strengthening the Voting Rights Act of 1965, particularly after the Supreme Court's decision in Shelby County v. Holder weakened protections against discriminatory voting laws. Democrats support establishing federal oversight for states with histories of voter suppression.

Opposing Voter Suppression: The party strongly opposes voter ID laws, purging voter rolls, and other efforts they view as attempts to suppress the vote, particularly among minorities, low-income individuals, and young people. They also support legislation like the For the People Act, which aims to reduce barriers to voting and prevent gerrymandering.
Voting Rights for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals: Democrats advocate for restoring voting rights to formerly incarcerated individuals, believing that every citizen should have the right to vote once they have served their time.

3. Equality:
Racial Equality: The Democratic Party is committed to advancing racial equality through policies that address systemic racism and promote economic, social, and political opportunities for communities of color. This includes reforming policing, expanding affordable housing, and improving healthcare access for minorities.

LGBTQ+ Rights: Democrats strongly support equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community. They advocate for passing the Equality Act, which would expand federal civil rights protections to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. They also support measures to protect transgender individuals from discrimination in schools, the workplace, and the military.

Gender Equality: The Democratic Party prioritizes closing the gender pay gap, ensuring paid family leave, and expanding access to affordable childcare. They also support the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to guarantee equal legal rights for all citizens, regardless of sex.

Immigration Reform: Democrats advocate for comprehensive immigration reform that includes a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, particularly those brought to the U.S. as children (DACA recipients). They also support ending family separations at the border and ensuring that immigration enforcement is humane and fair.