A new survey of 10,000 people conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology released by the Pew Charitable Trusts found that African-American voters waited to vote more than twice as long as others, and Hispanics were asked to show identification more often. Other problems included issues with absentee ballots, and inconsistent application of election laws.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Exempt Organizations division has issued its 2009 work plan, detailing its plans for the upcoming year including a long term study of fund raising and spending by charitable organizations. According to the Chronicle of Philanthropy ($$), "Lois G. Lerner, director of the exempt-organization division of the IRS, told reporters that it is especially important to monitor the nonprofit world during the current economic downturn as demand for charitable services rises and donations fall."

The Washington Post reports that a group of philanthropists and entrepreneurs are working to develop a rating system to evaluate how nonprofits spend their money and whether their work is making a difference. The Working Group on Effective Social Investing is working to create the Social Investing Rating Tool, "to encourage donors to think more like investors -- to consider their charitable donations social investments, complete with risks and responsibilities." On the Working Group's website, four objectives are listed: