Do you know your First Amendment rights? Can you name all three branches of the U.S. government? If you’re scratching your head, you’re not alone. A recent survey shows that, even in an election year, many Americans are still fuzzy on some basic civics concepts.
The Annenberg Constitution Day Civics Survey to celebrate Constitution Day on Sept. 17, offers a fascinating glimpse into what Americans know (and don’t know) about their government and constitutional rights.
First, the positive: nearly two-thirds of Americans (65%) can correctly name all three branches of government – executive, legislative, and judicial. It means most people understand the basic structure of our government and how power is divided.
When it comes to the First Amendment, though, things get a bit murkier. While almost everyone knows about freedom of speech (74% of respondents named it), the other four rights protected by this crucial amendment are far more problematic for Americans to name. Only 39% mentioned freedom of religion, 29% noted freedom of the press, 27% recalled the right to assembly, and a mere 11% identified the right to petition the government. Surprisingly, more people incorrectly said the right to bear arms (22%) was in the First Amendment than those who correctly identified the right to petition the government.
“Civics knowledge matters. Those who do not understand the rights protected by the Constitution can neither cherish nor invoke them; those who do not know which party controls the House and Senate may misattribute credit or blame for action or inaction,” says Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center, in a media release detailing the poll results.
In other words, if you don’t know your rights, you can’t protect them. Also, if you don’t understand how your government works, it’s harder to hold your representatives accountable.
The survey also dug into what Americans know about the Supreme Court and their opinions on potential reforms. Here’s where it gets interesting: 86% know Supreme Court justices are appointed, not elected, and 85% know justices serve life terms. Moreover, 56% understand that the Supreme Court, not the president, has the final say on whether presidential actions are constitutional.
However, when it comes to reforming the court, opinions are strong. A whopping 82% support prohibiting justices from cases where they have conflicts of interest, 77% want a formal ethics code for justices, 69% support a mandatory retirement age, and 68% are in favor of term limits. These numbers show a clear appetite for change, likely influenced by recent controversial decisions and declining public trust in the court.
It’s worth noting that views on Supreme Court reform vary significantly based on political affiliation. While both Democrats (87%) and Republicans (83%) strongly support keeping justices out of cases where they have conflicts, Democrats are much more enthusiastic about other reforms. For example, 88% of Democrats favor a formal ethics code for the court, compared to 70% of Republicans. This split reflects the growing polarization around the court, especially since its 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade.
Interestingly, the survey also found that people’s level of civics knowledge affects their views on court reform. Those with the highest civics knowledge were more likely to support measures like prohibiting justices from cases with conflicts of interest. However, they were less likely to support allowing public votes to overturn controversial rulings. The relationship between knowledge and reform support also differs by party.
“The court’s independence has long been sustained by its strong bipartisan support in the public. If that vanishes, the court may find itself reformed or constrained in ways that weaken its power,” explains University of Pennsylvania political science professor Matt Levendusky.
Understanding how your government works is crucial for being an informed citizen and voter. It helps you know and protect your rights, understand political news and debates, make informed decisions at the ballot box, and hold your representatives accountable.
