Challenges in moving toward a more inclusive democracy

Amid controversy over the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, concerns about high inflation and economic uncertainty, and rising threats to the stability of the electoral process and American democracy, the stakes for this year’s midterm elections could not be higher. Now, a new and extensive national survey of more than 2,500 Americans illuminates Americans’ attitudes about racial justice and religious pluralism, trust in public institutions such as schools and libraries, reproductive rights, gender identity and LGBTQ+ issues, and structural reforms to our political parties, processes, and courts. The survey also highlights what values and issues are driving voters’ concerns this November. 

On October 27, Governance Studies at Brookings and the Public Religion Research Institute hosted the release of its 13th annual American Values Survey. A panel of experts discussed the survey results and what they reveal about American’s attitudes as they relate to the midterm elections and beyond. The survey also highlighted long-term trends in partisan and religious affiliation, abortion attitudes, immigration reform, and support for QAnon, among other issues. 

Viewers submitted questions for speakers by emailing [email protected] or via Twitter at @BrookingsGov by using #AVS2022.