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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The Cruelty and Recklessness Must End: We Need Better Immigration Policies for a Stronger America Upcoming Event
People embrace as they pay their respects during a candlelight vigil for a Mexican immigrant who was fatally shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer, July 8, 2026, in Houston. (Getty/Brandon Bell)

The Cruelty and Recklessness Must End: We Need Better Immigration Policies for a Stronger America

Please join the Center for American Progress and America’s Voice to hear from Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and a panel of experts on the Trump administration’s cruel and reckless anti-immigration and mass deportation agenda as well as the urgent need for accountability and commonsense policies that are consistent with our values and economic needs.

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

Stopping Trump’s Crypto Corruption: The Risks of the Clarity Act to Democracy and National Security Upcoming Event

Stopping Trump’s Crypto Corruption: The Risks of the Clarity Act to Democracy and National Security

Please join the Center for American Progress for a conversation with Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) on why stronger oversight and anticorruption rules for cryptocurrency markets are essential to protecting U.S. national security and our democracy.

Center for American Progress and online via Zoom

‘Take Me Home’: A Reel Progress Screening Upcoming Event
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‘Take Me Home’: A Reel Progress Screening

Join the Center for American Progress for the Washington, D.C., prerelease screening of “Take Me Home.”

Center for American Progress

American Law at 250: The Supreme Court and Democracy Past Event

American Law at 250: The Supreme Court and Democracy

Please join the Center for American Progress for a discussion of how the Supreme Court has transitioned into a blatantly political entity and what needs to be done to free it from political capture and reestablish it as a defender—not an enemy—of American democracy.

Online via Zoom

Burnham must avoid Starmer’s Trump mistake In the News

Burnham must avoid Starmer’s Trump mistake

In an op-ed for The Financial Times, Neera Tanden argues that as the new prime minister of the United Kingdom, Andy Burnham must take a stronger approach than his predecessor did.

The Financial Times

Neera Tanden

The debate over AGOA is missing the point In the News

The debate over AGOA is missing the point

In an op-ed for Semafor Africa, Daniele Nyirandutiye argues that in considering whether to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act, Congress is having the wrong debate.

Semafor Africa

Daniele Nyirandutiye

Strengthening American Democracy Article
A view of a U.S. flag.

Strengthening American Democracy

We can design a modernized democracy that finally achieves the goals of a government that is representative of and answerable to all people.

In Defense of Hawaii’s Corporate Redefinition In the News

In Defense of Hawaii’s Corporate Redefinition

In a Letter to the Editor in The Wall Street Journal, Tom Moore defended Hawaii's bipartisan law that limits corporate spending power in politics.

The Wall Street Journal

Tom Moore

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