Politics and Elections

CAP Authors Letter to Meta Addressing CrowdTangle Shutdown Concerns

The Center for American Progress and the Institute for Strategic Dialogue co-authored a sign-on letter to Meta executives urging them to delay the closure of CrowdTangle amid the U.S. election cycle and given a lack of features in the tool’s replacement.

Citizens United Gave Corporations, But Not Their Boards, the Authority To Spend in Candidate Elections

Since 2010, corporate boards and management have been handing over the constitutional rights of individual U.S.-citizen shareholders to large shareholders and foreign nationals; shareholders can put a stop to this, and lawmakers, regulators, and courts can help them.

2024 Hawaii Bill Would Limit Political Spending by Foreign-Influenced U.S. Corporations

Michael Sozan, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, filed written testimony before the Hawaii Senate in support of S.B. 3243, a bill that would strengthen campaign-related spending disclosure requirements and limit political spending by U.S. corporations with appreciable foreign ownership.

2024 Washington Bill Would Limit Political Spending by Foreign-Influenced U.S. Corporations

Michael Sozan, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, filed written testimony before the Washington State House in support of H.B. 1885, a bill that would strengthen campaign-related spending disclosure requirements and limit political spending by U.S. corporations with appreciable foreign ownership.

8 Ways To Protect American Democracy

To safeguard American democracy, it is important to both protect elections in 2024 and address systemic issues to protect those in the future.

Extinguishing the Fires of Political Violence

A Bipartisan Discussion About Current Threats and Potential Solutions, cosponsored by the McCain Institute

Threats From Political Minority Rule in Wisconsin and North Carolina

Partisan legislators in Wisconsin and North Carolina are aggressively erecting anti-democracy barriers to lock out a growing political majority and hinder America’s progress.

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.

Foreign-influenced corporations must stop meddling in domestic affairs

Gordon Laxer and Michael Sozan write about how discussion on foreign-influenced corporations' political spending in the United States can inform Canada's policies on the matter.

A Year After the Supreme Court Overturned Roe v. Wade, Trends in State Abortion Laws Have Emerged

In the absence of federal protections, state legislatures have become arbiters of abortion access, with some states banning or severely restricting abortion and others improving and protecting it.

Washington Bill Would Limit Political Spending by Foreign-Influenced U.S. Corporations

Michael Sozan, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, filed written testimony before the Washington State House in support of S.B. 5284, a bill that would strengthen campaign-related spending disclosure requirements and limit political spending by U.S. corporations with appreciable foreign ownership.

Hawaii Bill Would Limit Political Spending by Foreign-Influenced U.S. Corporations

Michael Sozan, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, filed written testimony before the Hawaii Senate in support of S.B. 1179, a bill that would limit political spending by U.S. corporations with appreciable foreign ownership.

California Bill Would Limit Political Spending by Foreign-Influenced U.S. Corporations

Michael Sozan, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, filed written testimony before the California State Assembly in support of A.B. 83, a bill that would limit political spending by U.S. corporations with appreciable foreign ownership.

Election Deniers Lost Key Races for Federal and State Offices in the 2022 Midterm Elections

Candidates who questioned or denied the outcome of the 2020 presidential election lost key races in the midterms as voters across the country elected pro-democracy candidates.

Issues Potentially Affecting the 2022 Midterm Elections

This CAP memo outlines how to address challenges affecting the 2022 elections.

Supreme Court May Adopt Extreme MAGA Election Theory That Threatens Democracy

In its upcoming term, the Supreme Court will decide Moore v. Harper, a case involving the extreme “independent state legislature” theory that endangers free and fair elections.

How To Save American Democracy

The threat to U.S. elections is real—here is how policymakers can address it.

How To Regulate Tech: A Technology Policy Framework for Online Services

Online services have become an essential and ubiquitous part of American life. This report proposes a new regulatory framework to address existing harms, promote equitable growth, and protect the public interest online.

How Americans Envision a More Perfect Union

A new study of U.S. public opinion shows a common path forward for the country based on national economic development and a more cooperative politics.

Americans Want the Federal Government To Help People in Need

Results from a national survey of registered voters shed light on how Americans view the importance of the social safety net and other economic policies amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The State of Women’s Leadership—And How To Continue Changing the Face of U.S. Politics

Women—particularly women of color—continue to make noteworthy gains at all levels of government, but bold policies and structural changes are still needed to reach gender parity in U.S. politics.

Tell Congress: Convict Trump

Every day that President Trump remains in office, he remains an active threat to our democracy.

Take Action: Tell Congress To Support Trump’s Removal From Office

President Donald Trump is an active danger to our democracy every day he remains in office, and the Cabinet and Vice President Mike Pence should immediately invoke the 25th Amendment to remove him.

No Time to Celebrate: Progressive Politics in the Pandemic’s Wake

While the pandemic has illustrated the need for progressive policies more than ever, significant challenges still confront those who advocate for and hope to implement them.

The Solutions We Need

America’s Electoral Future

The generational makeup of the United States will change dramatically in the future and that is projected to have potentially profound effects of future elections.

What Do Voters Want on Child Care Ahead of the 2020 Elections?

The COVID-19 pandemic has compounded existing challenges for many parents in finding and affording high quality child care. Subsequently, voters strongly support increased governmental steps to help parents care for their kids and continue to work.

Wisconsin Primary Shows Why States Must Prepare Their Elections for the Coronavirus

States must take immediate steps to prepare for conducting elections during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Expanding Vote by Mail, States Must Maintain In-Person Voting Options During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Although expanding vote by mail is critical, in-person options must be preserved to prevent disenfranchisement.

States Must Act Now To Fortify Elections Against Coronavirus

Elected officials must make it easier and safer to register and vote amid the pandemic.

Structural Changes Are Needed To Address Coronavirus

Big reforms are necessary to protect public health, mitigate the risks of future outbreaks, and ensure the eventual recovery benefits most Americans.

Election Contingency Planning During the Coronavirus Pandemic

In response to COVID-19, actions should be taken to protect elections and Americans’ right to vote.

America Decides

One year out from the 2020 election, American voters support a range of pragmatic government actions to expand health care access and reduce costs; increase taxation on the wealthy; help low-income families with basic living necessities; and check corporate power.

The Path to 270 in 2020

One year out from the 2020 election, the contours of the eventual vote, both demographically and in the Electoral College, seem clear—but the paths both parties may eventually choose to successfully harness these tangible trends remain in flux.

States of Change

As the demographics of the United States have changed since 1980, so have the coalitions that make up both the Republican and Democratic parties.

America Adrift

A new study of public attitudes on U.S. foreign policy issues finds that voters desire more government investment at home to remain competitive in the world.

Voters Repudiate President Trump and GOP Policy Agenda—2020 Re-Election Is Uncertain

Democrats made sweeping gains in the House on November 6, as voters turned against President Donald Trump and his agenda. The 2020 election will now be fiercely contested with historic ramifications for the country.

Voters Across Party Lines Support Clean Slate Legislation

Voters overwhelmingly support clean slate legislation to automatically seal records for nonviolent crimes and marijuana possession. Support also crosses party and demographic lines for legalization of marijuana.

Trust in Government in the Trump Era

A major new study of voter attitudes finds deep partisan divides on trust in government under President Trump and serious concerns about a range of the president’s and his team’s actions and decisions.

America’s Electoral Future

The demographics of the United States are projected to become much more diverse in the coming decades and will have significant effects on the presidential election in 2020 and beyond.

Voter Trends in 2016

CAP’s comprehensive new analysis of 2016 turnout and voting patterns reveals important and surprising results about what happened in the election.

States of Change

Simulations indicate that the most successful route for minimizing future representation gaps lies in equalizing registration and turnout rates across races.

The Path to 270 in 2016, Revisited

Will fundamentals trump the candidates in determining the election outcome—or vice versa?

A Blending American Youth

Decades of immigration have altered the racial and ethnic makeup of the United States, and it is today’s children who will be the vanguards of this new, diverse America.

Election Oracle

Demographics are not destiny, but they will have a significant effect on America’s political landscape.

America’s Electoral Future

The demographics of the United States are projected to become much more diverse in the coming decades and will have significant effects on presidential elections in 2016 and beyond. This report estimates those effects under a variety of different scenarios.

The Path to 270 in 2016

This report examines the upcoming 2016 election through a comprehensive analysis and projection of demographic and electoral trends nationally and in 12 battleground states.

The Demographic Evolution of the American Electorate, 1980–2060

This interactive shows the growing diversity of every state in the nation from 1980 to 2060.