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Restoring Social Trust in Democracy

Democracy is under attack at home and abroad. We must act to ensure it is accessible to all, accountable, and can serve as a force of good.

A voting rights activist dresses as "Ms. Liberty," August 2021. (Getty/Alex Wong)
What We're Working On

What We're Doing

Increasing representation and access to our democracy

All Americans must have trust in elections and election results. All Americans also must have unimpeded access to the ballot box. That is why national voting standards are so important, along with laws that would protect against interference with valid election results.

Combating the spread of harmful dis- and misinformation

Disinformation, whether about COVID-19 or elections, undermines Americans’ safety and threatens our democracy. We seek to define the government’s role in combating it, give recommendations to online platforms to stem its spread, and support robust local media that can counter its worst effects.

Building a new framework to regulate online services

Americans’ lives are increasingly reliant on online services and affected by their economic, consumer, and civic harms. A robust regulatory framework, paired with new privacy protections and reinvigorated antitrust action, is needed to address the threats these services pose.

Countering violent political extremism

Countering insurgent threats is critical to maintaining our democracy. As part of this work, we have crafted a national blueprint with the McCain Institute to end white supremacist violence. Our plan draws on expertise across CAP and from more than 150 conversations with a diverse range of stakeholders.

By the numbers

59

Gerrymandering shifted an average of 59 seats in the U.S. House from 2012 to 2016.

Source: CAP, “Voter-Determined Districts” (2019).

Voter-Determined Districts

1 in 10

42 senators, representing only about 1/10 of the U.S. population, can filibuster popular bills.

Source: CAP, “The Impact of the Filibuster on Federal Policymaking” (2019).

A thunderstorm passes over the U.S. Capitol building, July 2019. (A thunderstorm passes over the U.S. Capitol building)
The Impact of the Filibuster on Federal Policymaking

30%

The U.S. population has grown by about 30% since the federal bench’s last meaningful expansion.

Source: CAP, “It Is Past Time for Congress To Expand the Lower Courts” (2021).

A a statue of blind justice is seen outside the Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia, September 2016. (Getty/AFP/Brendan Smialowski)
It Is Past Time for Congress To Expand the Lower Courts

81%

81% of voters believe tech companies have too much power and influence over politics and government.

Source: CAP Action, “Voters Support Enacting Stronger Consumer Protections Online” (2021).

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American Leadership in AI, Science, and Innovation: A Conversation With Sen. Mark Kelly Upcoming Event

American Leadership in AI, Science, and Innovation: A Conversation With Sen. Mark Kelly

Join the Center for American Progress for a conversation with Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) as part of CAP’s “What’s Next: Conversations on the Path Forward” series.

Center for American Progress & Online (1333 H St. NW Washington DC 20005)

A New Economic Patriotism: A Conversation with Rep. Ro Khanna Upcoming Event
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) at the U.S. Capitol on December 4, 2024, Washington, D.C. (Getty/Tom Williams)

A New Economic Patriotism: A Conversation with Rep. Ro Khanna

Please join the Center for American Progress for a conversation with Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) as part of the “What's Next: Conversations on the Path Forward” series.

Center for American Progress and online via Zoom

Trump Is Putting Military Leaders in a No-Win Situation In the News

Trump Is Putting Military Leaders in a No-Win Situation

In an op-ed published by The New York Times, Frank Kendall explains how the current legal chain of command for the military is made up of the yes-men who will not push back on anything President Donald Trump or Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth commands them to do.

The New York Times

Frank Kendall

Americans Continue To Build a Peaceful Mass Movement To Force Trump Administration Changes Article
Marchers crowd the streets of New York City as part of nationwide

Americans Continue To Build a Peaceful Mass Movement To Force Trump Administration Changes

The October “No Kings” protests show that sustained mass mobilization is a potent force, and as history reveals, peaceful protests by just 3.5 percent of a nation’s population at a peak moment can make it extremely difficult for the government to ignore peoples’ demands.

Michael Sozan

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