Elections

Free and fair elections where every eligible person can exercise their fundamental right to vote is the cornerstone of American democracy. In order to ensure that every American is equally represented, it is vital to overcome efforts to subvert the will of the people—such as gerrymandering, voter suppression, and the undue influence of money in politics that undermines our democracy. The United States must also resist a rising threat: election deniers who promote conspiracy theories such as the “big lie” and who seek to undermine the basic fairness of U.S. elections.

The Center for American Progress is committed to pushing back against the dangerous and regressive efforts that threaten U.S. democracy and keeping fidelity to foundational principles that will keep it strong: the sanctity of free and fair elections, the peaceful transfer of power, and a complete condemnation of any political violence or extremism. U.S. elections should be about giving everyone a say by ensuring that voters can cast a ballot freely, fairly, and safely, thereby making our multiracial democracy work for all of us and include all of us.

Four voting booths are seen in front of a blue wall, and a voter fills out their ballot in one of the booths.
A voter fills out a ballot at a polling place in Lansing, Michigan, on November 8, 2022. (Getty/Bill Pugliano).
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Undoing Citizens United and Reining In Super PACs Report

Undoing Citizens United and Reining In Super PACs

By resetting corporate powers and treating super PACs like every other PAC, Congress and the states can begin to undo the damage caused by Citizens United.

Tom Moore

The Positive Power of Three at the FEC: Project Ripcord In the News

The Positive Power of Three at the FEC: Project Ripcord

Tom Moore writes in Stetson Journal of Advocacy and the Law about the role of a plan at the U.S. Federal Election Commission known as "Project Ripcord" in enforcement of federal campaign-finance law.

Stetson Journal of Advocacy and the Law

Tom Moore

Industrial Policy Projects Boosted Harris and Hurt Trump in the 2024 Election, but Not by Much Report
An electric car charges in a parking garage.

Industrial Policy Projects Boosted Harris and Hurt Trump in the 2024 Election, but Not by Much

A county-by-county analysis finds that additional IIJA, CHIPS and Science Act, and IRA investments were associated with higher vote share for Kamala Harris compared with Joe Biden and a lower vote share in 2024 for Trump compared with 2020—but the differences are slight.

The right of Coloradans to vote should be protected In the News

The right of Coloradans to vote should be protected

In an op-ed published by Colorado Newsline, Rebecca Mears urges Colorado legislators to pass the pending state voting rights act in order to protect equitable voting access for all Coloradans and safeguard them from voting practices that lead to deeper racial disparities.

Colorado Newsline

Rebecca Mears

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