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.

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).

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

Latest

Compact View

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Project 2025 Article
The Heritage Foundation flag flies over the building.

Frequently Asked Questions About Project 2025

Project 2025 would concentrate federal power in the presidency, direct all levers of government to dismantle democracy, and pull the rug out from under America’s middle class.

Tymoni Correa-Buntley

Reforming Elections for a Better Democracy: Alaska as a Case Study Video

Reforming Elections for a Better Democracy: Alaska as a Case Study

This video about Alaska’s “Final Four” election system brings together Alaskan legislative leaders from across the aisle to discuss how this system works and early results indicating this reform can create a more representative democracy, decrease polarization, and help incentivize consensus building and more bipartisan governing.

Congress should block aid to Egypt In the News

Congress should block aid to Egypt

In an op-ed published in The Hill, Allison McManus argues that instead of releasing $320 million in military aid, Congress should hold Cairo accountable for its flagrant human rights violations.

The Hill

Allison McManus

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