Center for American Progress

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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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India’s Elections and Global Implications Upcoming Event

India’s Elections and Global Implications

Please join the Center for American Progress and Hindus for Human Rights for a panel of democracy and foreign policy experts shedding light on the recent elections, the significance for India's global ambitions, and implications for future U.S.-India relations.

Online only

Strategic Instability: The Trump Administration’s Contradictory Taiwan Signals Court Disaster Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit Article
The flag of Taiwan is flanked by two American flags.

Strategic Instability: The Trump Administration’s Contradictory Taiwan Signals Court Disaster Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit

The administration’s transactional and incoherent posturing on Taiwan recklessly erodes deterrence, producing a strategic instability that invites a catastrophic military miscalculation between the United States and China.

Michael Schiffer, Michael Clark

Orbán Is Gone, But Europe’s Divisions Remain Article
The Hungarian Parliament Building is seen following a resounding Tisza Party win on April 12, 2026.

Orbán Is Gone, But Europe’s Divisions Remain

Viktor Orbán’s political demise in Hungary is forcing the European Union to confront its internal divisions more directly than it has in years.

Luke Zahner

Preemption of State AI Laws Is Not the Path Forward Past Event

Preemption of State AI Laws Is Not the Path Forward

Join the Center for American Progress for a discussion about why state preemption of AI, child safety, and privacy laws is not the path forward for meaningful AI legislation and what real issues must be prioritized in any meaningful federal AI legislation.

Center for American Progress Online

An EU-China bridge is designed to crumble In the News

An EU-China bridge is designed to crumble

In an op-ed published by Euractiv, Robert Benson explains why Europe should not let its prosperity be contingent on Beijing’s tolerance.

Euractiv

Robert Benson

Abortion is a Religious Freedom: Opinion In the News

Abortion is a Religious Freedom: Opinion

In an op-ed for Rewire News Group, Sally Steenland argues that abortion bans violate the constitutional right to religious freedom.

Rewire News Group

Sally Steenland

Federal and State Policy Outlook for Community Colleges Past Event

Federal and State Policy Outlook for Community Colleges

Join the CAP and the Community Colleges Coalition to explore how community colleges are adapting to new federal and state policies.

Online via Zoom

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