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

CAP Comment Urges the OPM To Uphold Civil Service Protections in New Rule Change Article

CAP Comment Urges the OPM To Uphold Civil Service Protections in New Rule Change

CAP submitted comments on the OPM’s proposed rule entitled “Upholding Civil Service Protections and Merit System Principles” to protect federal civil service employees and prevent the government workforce from becoming subject to a patronage system that rewards loyalty over expertise.

Cissy Jackson

Why Congress Must Reauthorize a Lifesaving Program To Fight HIV/AIDS Article
U.S. Capitol building

Why Congress Must Reauthorize a Lifesaving Program To Fight HIV/AIDS

Despite extremists’ assertions, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) does not facilitate abortion access but does improve pregnancy and other health outcomes for women and girls, as well as promote strong partnerships and democratic principles in key nations; it is also indispensable to the elimination of HIV/AIDS by 2030.

Sarnata Reynolds

Poland’s Democratic Resurgence: From Backsliding to Beacon Article
Photo shows five people standing on a wall waving the EU flag and the Polish flag against a clear blue sky

Poland’s Democratic Resurgence: From Backsliding to Beacon

Poland's recent elections signify a major shift from democratic backsliding to a recommitment to EU values and democratic principles, with implications for regional stability and U.S. foreign policy.

Robert Benson

2023 CAP IDEAS Conference Past Event
CAP IDEAS Conference logo

2023 CAP IDEAS Conference

Join the Center for American Progress as we celebrate 20 years of innovative policy solutions and look boldly forward to a progressive future.

Response to Horrific Attacks in Israel Must Avoid Collective Punishment for Gaza and Confront Obstacles to Peace Article
Fire and smoke rise above buildings in Gaza City.

Response to Horrific Attacks in Israel Must Avoid Collective Punishment for Gaza and Confront Obstacles to Peace

The horrifying Hamas terror attack on Israeli civilians has provoked an understandable imperative to bring the perpetrators to justice, but Israel must avoid collective punishment for Gaza that can bring a loss of moral clarity and reinforce historic grievances.

Patrick Gaspard

Assessing Risk and Reward in the Saudi Megadeal Article
Photo shows Joe Biden and Mohammed bin Salman talking as they walk, passing by other Saudi officials

Assessing Risk and Reward in the Saudi Megadeal

Negotiations around a “megadeal” for Saudi Arabia’s normalization with Israel should ensure the deal advances, rather than undermines, regional stability and prosperity.

Allison McManus

Executive Summary: A Whole-of-Government, Society-Wide Approach to Tackling the Opioid Crisis Fact Sheet

Executive Summary: A Whole-of-Government, Society-Wide Approach to Tackling the Opioid Crisis

This fact sheet summarizes a recent Center for American Progress report outlining the need for a whole-of-government, society-wide approach to addressing the complex challenges posed by the opioid overdose epidemic.

Tackling the Opioid Crisis Requires a Whole-of-Government, Society-Wide Approach Report
U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents sift through packages in search of fentanyl.

Tackling the Opioid Crisis Requires a Whole-of-Government, Society-Wide Approach

The opioid epidemic is a complex public health crisis that can be ameliorated by addressing root causes of drug use; expanding access to treatment and harm reduction strategies; and reducing the supply of illicit opioids entering the United States.

Protecting Democracy Online in 2024 and Beyond Report
Photo illustration shows Elon Musk's face with the EU flag overlaid, on a smart phone sitting on a keyboard

Protecting Democracy Online in 2024 and Beyond

A series of high-profile global elections in 2024 will require social media platforms and generative AI developers to meet the moment amid an evolving and uncertain technology landscape.

Megan Shahi

Priorities for a National AI Strategy Article

Priorities for a National AI Strategy

The Center for American Progress submitted a comment letter to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy emphasizing that the U.S. government must strike a balance between the innumerable opportunities of artificial intelligence to enhance the lives of the American people and the significant risks it poses to their livelihoods.

Megan Shahi, Adam Conner

CAP Comment Urges CFTC To Reject Proposal To Allow Betting on Elections Article

CAP Comment Urges CFTC To Reject Proposal To Allow Betting on Elections

The Center for American Progress submitted a comment to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission opposing KalshiEX LLC's proposed congressional control event contracts, arguing that Kalshi's proposal amounts to allowing gambling on U.S. elections and is squarely against the public interest.

Sydney Bryant

India’s Backsliding Democracy Past Event
Demonstrators gather in Bengaluru, India, to take part in a rally against the country’s new citizenship law, December 2019.

India’s Backsliding Democracy

Examining how attempts to stifle dissent threaten the world’s largest democracy

People Determine the Reach of the Supreme Court In the News

People Determine the Reach of the Supreme Court

Maggie Jo Buchanan argues that a year after the Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the American people have stepped up to protect abortion rights.

DC Journal

Maggie Jo Buchanan

Developing Accountability Mechanisms for AI Systems Is Critical to the Development of Trustworthy AI Article

Developing Accountability Mechanisms for AI Systems Is Critical to the Development of Trustworthy AI

CAP submitted comments on how the National Telecommunications and Information Administration should develop a national framework for AI accountability to address the unmitigated risks of artificial intelligence and ensure that all AI technology is developed and deployed in safe and trustworthy ways.

Adam Conner, Megan Shahi, Ashleigh Maciolek, 1 More Ben Olinsky

How Michigan Became a Blueprint for Strengthening Democracy Report
Close-up of hand casting vote

How Michigan Became a Blueprint for Strengthening Democracy

Despite an increasingly partisan national landscape, Michigan has implemented key voting and representation reforms and set a trailblazing example for transformative change, largely due to citizen-initiated constitutional amendments.

Greta Bedekovics, Ashleigh Maciolek

To Tackle Climate Change, the Cycle of Crisis, Debt, and Underinvestment in the Global South Must End Article
Biden against a background with a picture of a forest

To Tackle Climate Change, the Cycle of Crisis, Debt, and Underinvestment in the Global South Must End

The United States must push for transformative reforms to the global financial system to alleviate Global South debt burdens that prevent investments in climate, development, and democratic institutions.

Improving Language Access in the U.S. Asylum System Report

Improving Language Access in the U.S. Asylum System

The lack of adequate interpretation and translation services for asylum-seekers who are not proficient in English impedes their ability to navigate the complex immigration system.

Zefitret Abera Molla

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