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 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).

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).

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).

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).

Recent work

Latest

Compact View

Preparing for What’s Next: Lessons From Implementing the Nation’s Largest Climate Bill Upcoming Event
Then-U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on his administration’s “Investing in America” agenda at the Port of Baltimore, October 2024, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Getty/Anna Rose Layden)

Preparing for What’s Next: Lessons From Implementing the Nation’s Largest Climate Bill

Join CAP for a discussion with federal agency alumni as they share first-hand reflections and lessons from implementing the largest and most ambitious climate bill in U.S. history.

Center for American Progress Online via Zoom

Forced To Go Hungry: How the Big Beautiful Bill Strips Students of Meals Upcoming Event
Students are served lunch at Heather Hills Elementary School in Bowie, Maryland, on October 22, 2024. (Getty/Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call/)

Forced To Go Hungry: How the Big Beautiful Bill Strips Students of Meals

Join CAP, alongside local leaders, parents, and nutrition and federal policy experts, to discuss the impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on school nutrition and how leaders are working to protect critical access to school meals.

Online via Zoom

Resumen ejecutivo: Construyendo una agenda anticorrupción para restaurar la fe en el gobierno estadounidense Hoja informativa
El sol sale sobre el Capitolio de EE.UU.

Resumen ejecutivo: Construyendo una agenda anticorrupción para restaurar la fe en el gobierno estadounidense

La corrupción y el enriquecimiento personal de altos funcionarios de gobierno son una amenaza grave para el país que requiere transparencia y rendición de cuentas para recuperar la confianza ciudadana en el gobierno.

Devon Ombres, Ben Olinsky

Executive Summary: Building an Anti-Corruption Agenda To Restore Faith in American Government Fact Sheet
El sol sale sobre el Capitolio de EE.UU.

Executive Summary: Building an Anti-Corruption Agenda To Restore Faith in American Government

Corruption and self-enrichment by high-ranking government officials is a critical threat to the nation’s interests that must be addressed through real transparency and enforcement mechanisms if there is any hope of restoring Americans’ faith in government.

Devon Ombres, Ben Olinsky

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