Center for American Progress

Donate

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.

Center for American Progress

Charting a Bold Vision for America’s Future

Celebrate with us

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).

Featured Experts

More Experts

What You Can Do

Recent work

Latest

Compact View

  • Filter by
  • Type
    • Type
    Show Results
  • Date
    • Date
    • Date

    • to

    Custom range Fixed range
  • Topic
    • Topic
    Show Results
  • State
    • State
    Show Results
  • Toggle Search

  • 4660 Results

Clear filters

The U.S. Judiciary and Democratic Backsliding: Perspectives on the Role of Courts in Autocratic Governments Past Event

The U.S. Judiciary and Democratic Backsliding: Perspectives on the Role of Courts in Autocratic Governments

Please join the Center for American Progress and Court Accountability for a discussion on the connection between courts and authoritarian movements at home and around the world.

Michael Podhorzer, Devon Ombres, Aziz Huq, 7 More Cristina Rodríguez, Kim Lane Scheppele, Mark Tushnet, Alex Aronson, Margaret Satterthwaite, Jason Stanley, Ben Olinsky

Mears: Michigan must pass its voting rights act In the News

Mears: Michigan must pass its voting rights act

In an op-ed published by The Detroit News, Rebecca Mears urges Michigan lawmakers to pass their State Voting Rights Act before their congressional session ends on Thursday.

The Detroit News

Rebecca Mears

From Biden to Trump: Off-Ramp or Accelerator to Middle East Conflict? Article
Photo shows a man sitting in a chair with his hand resting on a cane, looking out of the window of his destroyed home

From Biden to Trump: Off-Ramp or Accelerator to Middle East Conflict?

How President Biden and President Trump manage their handoff, both their separate administrations and together during the transition, will have a powerful impact on whether forces of escalation or de-escalation in the Middle East prevail.

Andrew Miller

United States v. Skrmetti: The Trans Medical Care Case Before the Supreme Court Is About Bodily Autonomy for Everyone Article
A rainbow and clouds are seen above the U.S. Supreme Court building.

United States v. Skrmetti: The Trans Medical Care Case Before the Supreme Court Is About Bodily Autonomy for Everyone

Should the court side with families and doctors, the decision in United States v. Skrmetti could overturn bans on lifesaving transgender medical care, but should the justices decide otherwise, the implications for everyone’s access to health care could be drastic.

Haley Norris

‘IMPOSED’ Past Event

‘IMPOSED’

A live, semi-staged reading of a topical new play.

Regaining America’s Trust on Immigration In the News

Regaining America’s Trust on Immigration

In a new article published in Democracy Journal, Debu Gandhi discusses how progressives should modify their messaging on immigration in the wake of this year’s general election.

Democracy Journal

Debu Gandhi

Load More

This field is hidden when viewing the form

Default Opt Ins

This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form

Variable Opt Ins

This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.