Barriers to the Ballot Box

The novel coronavirus has fundamentally shifted the way many Americans vote: local election officials, in the name of safety, have closed thousands of polling places and encouraged voting by mail.

State Action on Coronavirus

Local and state public health officials wield extraordinary powers in emergency situations such as the current coronavirus outbreak. They can close schools and private businesses. They can restrict or shut down mass transit systems. They can cancel concerts, sporting events and political rallies. They can call up the National Guard. They can suspend medical licensing laws and protect doctors from liability claims. And they can quarantine or isolate people who might infect others.

Trust Magazine features articles on The Pew Charitable Trusts' efforts to harness the power of knowledge to address society’s pressing challenges.

Fiscal 50: State Trends and Analysis, an interactive resource from The Pew Charitable Trusts, allows you to sort and analyze data on key fiscal, economic, and demographic trends in the 50 states and understand their impact on states’ fiscal health.