Nearly three-quarters of Americans believe US democracy is weakening, ABA poll reveals

The latest American Bar Association Survey of Civic Literacy has revealed some concerning findings about the state of democracy in the United States. According to the survey, nearly three-quarters of Americans believe that American democracy is weaker now than it was five years ago.

The primary reasons cited for this perceived decline in democracy were misinformation and disinformation, as well as the influence of political parties. The survey also found that a majority of respondents expressed concerns about the integrity of the November 2024 general election, with worries ranging from meddling with the vote-counting process to voter fraud and suppression.

Despite these concerns, the survey also highlighted the importance that Americans place on fair and free elections, with many supporting measures such as voter ID requirements, early voting, and absentee voting. The poll results come ahead of Law Day on May 1, with this year’s theme focusing on “Voices of Democracy.”

During an online panel discussion presenting the survey results, experts expressed their concerns about the current state of American democracy. Retired Judge J. Michael Luttig pointed to the impact of claims by former President Donald Trump about the 2020 election, while public policy professor Danielle Allen suggested that reforms such as ranked-choice voting could help improve the functioning of political parties.

Overall, the survey results highlight the challenges facing American democracy and the importance of addressing issues such as misinformation, political polarization, and electoral integrity to strengthen the country’s democratic institutions.