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.

Center for American Progress

Charting a Bold Vision for America’s Future

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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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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

How the Freedom to Vote Act Could Have Changed the 2024 Election In the News

How the Freedom to Vote Act Could Have Changed the 2024 Election

In an op-ed published by Democracy Docket, Greta Bedekovics illustrates how significantly the Freedom to Vote Act could have changed this year’s elections for the better if it had not been blocked by the filibuster in 2022.

Democracy Docket

Greta Bedekovics

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