Restoring Social Trust in Democracy
Democracy is under attack at home and abroad. We must take swift action to ensure it is accessible to all, accountable, and can serve as a force of good.
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).
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).
What You Can Do
Recent work
Fact Sheet: Easing the American Nursing Shortage
2022 State Abortion Bans Are a Patchwork of Increasingly Extreme Laws
Tax Breaks for Retirement Savings Do Not Help the Workers Who Need Them Most
Latest
Fact Sheet: Stopping Political Spending by Foreign-Influenced U.S. Corporations
Bright-line foreign-ownership thresholds would close the loophole on inappropriate election and ballot-related spending by foreign-influenced American corporations.
Fact Sheet: Advancing Equity
This fact sheet summarizes a recent Center for American Progress report on the Biden administration’s efforts to advance racial equity through the federal government.
Fact Sheet: Recommendations for Advancing Gender Equality at Home and Abroad by Leveraging Women, Peace, and Security
The Gender Policy Council should include the following recommendations in its governmentwide strategy to ensure it can fully leverage and expand the U.S. government’s existing women, peace, and security mandate and architecture.
Fact Sheet: The Importance of Sports Participation for Transgender Youth
Transgender students deserve full and equal access to the benefits of school sports participation.
New Hampshire Needs the American Rescue Plan
The COVID-19 pandemic and resultant economic recession are still wreaking havoc on New Hampshire communities. President Biden and Congress must act boldly to ensure that working-class New Hampshirites are able to weather the storm.
Nevada Supports—and Needs—the American Rescue Plan
The COVID-19 pandemic and resultant economic recession are still wreaking havoc on Nevada communities. President Biden and Congress must act boldly to ensure that working-class Nevadans are able to weather the storm.
Montana Needs the American Rescue Plan
The COVID-19 pandemic and resultant economic recession are still wreaking havoc on Montana communities. President Biden and Congress must act boldly to ensure that working-class Montanans are able to weather the storm.
Maine Needs the American Rescue Plan
The COVID-19 pandemic and resultant economic recession are still wreaking havoc on Maine communities. President Biden and Congress must act boldly to ensure that working-class Mainers are able to weather the storm.
Georgia Supports—and Needs—the American Rescue Plan
The COVID-19 pandemic and resultant economic recession are still wreaking havoc on Georgia communities. President Biden and Congress must act boldly to ensure that working-class Georgians are able to weather the storm.
Arizona Supports—and Needs—the American Rescue Plan
The COVID-19 pandemic and resultant economic recession are still wreaking havoc on Arizona communities. President Biden and Congress must act boldly to ensure that working-class Arizonans are able to weather the storm.