{"id":54633,"date":"2026-01-20T17:26:54","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T22:26:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/?post_type=article&#038;p=54633"},"modified":"2026-01-26T10:56:00","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T15:56:00","slug":"democracy-in-2026-what-you-should-be-watching","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/fr\/articles\/democracy-in-2026-what-you-should-be-watching\/","title":{"rendered":"Democracy in 2026: What You Should Be Watching"},"template":"","class_list":["post-54633","article","type-article","status-publish","hentry","article_type-blog-post"],"acf":{"details":{"summary":"With the midterm elections looming, the news cycle is about to become a partisan whirlwind. The real threats to democracy \u2013 the ones that will significantly impact your life \u2013 risk getting buried in chaos. \r\n\r\nThat\u2019s why we compiled the top 5 democracy trends Common Cause is monitoring in 2026, and what we\u2019re doing about them.  ","featured_image":"","article_type":1103,"authors":"","related_issues":[2082,2083,103,2081,2066],"related_work":false,"location":null},"sidebar":{"helper_enable_sidebar":false,"helper_media_contact":{"heading":"Media Contact","manually_enter_person":false,"person":"","name":"","role":"","phone":"","email":""},"helper_links_downloads":{"heading":"Links & Downloads","links":null}},"page_layout":[{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"<span data-contrast=\"auto\">2025\u00a0was a whiplash moment for American democracy.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">We watched\u00a0President Trump flood our\u00a0cities with troops, cozy up to\u00a0billionaires\u00a0to enrich himself and his family, and attack our freedom to vote.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">But\u00a0Americans fought\u00a0back and won\u00a0in ways big and small\u2014even if it\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0make it in major headlines. Colorado and Maryland expanded voting access. Four states stopped\u00a0Article\u00a0V\u00a0Convention efforts in its tracks. And Elon Musk, the\u00a0man behind the infamous DOGE?\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Fired.<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/articles\/common-cause-wrapped-2025\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">See the full list\u00a0of our victories\u00a0here.<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Now the midterms are looming, and the news cycle is about to become a partisan whirlwind. The real threats to democracy \u2013 the ones that will\u00a0significantly\u00a0impact\u00a0your life \u2013 risk getting buried in\u00a0chaos.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">That\u2019s\u00a0why we compiled the\u00a0top 5\u00a0democracy trends\u00a0Common Cause is\u00a0monitoring\u00a0in 2026, and\u00a0what\u00a0we\u2019re\u00a0doing about them.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span>\r\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">1. The redistricting arms race is accelerating<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-54634 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/11_CrowdShot_I_ORIG-300x216.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"216\" \/>\r\n\r\n<b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Background:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0In 2025, President Trump pressured Texas officials to redraw\u00a0congressional maps and to deliver\u00a0five more\u00a0Republican\u00a0seats\u00a0to Congress. This action triggered an arms race among states to redraw maps for partisan advantage.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/california\/resources\/california-redistricting-efforts-meet-common-causes-fairness-criteria\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">California<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/resources\/missouris-redistricting-plan-fails-to-meet-common-causes-fairness-criteria\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Missouri<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/north-carolina\/press\/voters-pro-democracy-groups-seek-to-stop-retaliatory-redistricting-targeting-nc-black-belt\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">North Carolina<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, and\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/press\/california-meets-texas-fails-to-meet-common-causes-redistricting-fairness-criteria\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Texas<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0have all adopted new mid-decade maps.\u00a0This year,\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/press\/common-cause-warns-virginia-to-follow-its-redistricting-criteria\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Virginia<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/maryland\/press\/watchdog-group-demands-transparency-as-redistricting-commission-advances-without-public-maps\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Maryland<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/florida\/press\/redistricting-special-session-an-attempt-to-ignore-florida-constitution\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Florida<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0are expected to weigh in.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What\u00a0We\u2019re\u00a0Doing:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Common Cause released the nation\u2019s first\u00a0set of\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/press\/common-cause-launches-fairness-criteria-to-counter-mid-decade-power-plays\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">fairness\u00a0criteria<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0\u2013 strong, consistent standards to evaluate mid-decade redistricting efforts and ensure people, not parties, come first.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0In\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/press\/common-cause-warns-virginia-to-follow-its-redistricting-criteria\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Virginia<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/maryland\/press\/maryland-maps-must-protect-fair-representation-and-meet-common-cause-fairness-criteria\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Maryland<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,\u00a0we\u2019re\u00a0warning lawmakers: follow the Fairness Criteria or face opposition.\u00a0In\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/florida\/press\/redistricting-special-session-an-attempt-to-ignore-florida-constitution\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Florida<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,\u00a0we\u2019re\u00a0stating\u00a0the obvious\u00a0\u2014 mid-decade redistricting\u00a0violates\u00a0the state constitution.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">We're\u00a0also\u00a0pushing states to adopt\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/resources\/unlocking-fair-maps\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">independent redistricting commissions<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,\u00a0and\u00a0urging Congress to pass the\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DOwWoXDlWRN\/\"><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Redistricting Reform Act of 2025<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">which would\u00a0ban\u00a0mid-decade redistricting\u00a0and\u00a0partisan gerrymandering\u00a0nationwide.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span>\r\n<h3><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a02. <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The DOJ wants your voter data<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-21570 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/RegistrationModernization_2-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" \/>\r\n\r\n<b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Background:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As of January 15, the DOJ has sued 23 states for refusing to turn over\u00a0unredacted voter rolls. These rolls\u00a0contain\u00a0highly sensitive\u00a0data including names, addresses, dates of birth, driver\u2019s license numbers, and\u00a0partial Social Security numbers.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">The goal?\u00a0Build an unauthorized national voter database. The risk? Mass voter purges, privacy violations,\u00a0potential hacking,\u00a0and federal overreach.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What\u00a0We\u2019re\u00a0Doing:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We're\u00a0leading a\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/articles\/defending-your-data-why-common-cause-is-going-to-court-against-the-department-of-justice\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">multi-state legal response<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0to protect\u00a0your data. We\u2019ve filed lawsuits in 14 states challenging\u00a0the DOJ\u2019s\u00a0illegal\u00a0overreach, and we\u2019ll keep\u00a0fighting\u00a0against efforts that could enable voter purges or data misuse.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\r\n<span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span>\r\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">3. How AI-Powered Lies Could Poison the 2026 Elections<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-54635 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2201260900-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" \/>\r\n\r\n<b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Background:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The world has entered the age of artificial intelligence (AI), in which false information powered by generative AI has the potential to poison our information ecosystems like never before. This\u00a0leaves\u00a0the public unable to know what images, audio, or video they can trust. Candidates, conspiracy theorists, foreign states, and online trolls all have cheap, powerful tools at their disposal to undermine our democratic discourse.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">In a few clicks, using current AI technology, bad actors now have the power to spoof an entire county elections website and fill it with bad information, create false video of an elections official \u201ccaught on tape\u201d saying that voting machines aren\u2019t secure, or generate a robocall in the\u00a0president\u2019s voice telling millions of Americans their voting site has changed.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">If left unaddressed, AI and information manipulation pose an existential threat to elections and democracy itself.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">To make matters even worse,\u00a0President Trump signed an executive order\u00a0to\u00a0make it easier to gut state AI laws.\u00a0To be clear, the EO cannot\u00a0override\u00a0state AI\u00a0laws,\u00a0only Congress can do that. But the White House\u2019s intention is clear: unencumbered technological innovation\u00a0is the goal, even at the expense of\u00a0our elections and\u00a0civil and political rights.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What\u00a0We\u2019re\u00a0Doing:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Last year, Common Cause\u00a0led the passage of\u00a0an important update to the\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/california\/press\/newsom-signs-first-in-nation-laws-to-address-unregulated-ais-threat-to-democracy\/\"><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">California AI Transparency Act<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\">,<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0to help\u00a0people tell the truth from fiction online.\u00a0Now, we're\u00a0working\u00a0with states\u00a0nationwide\u00a0to\u00a0increase transparency,\u00a0protect civil and political rights in digital spaces,\u00a0combat AI-generated lies, and rebuild trust in the information we consume online.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a04. <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Armed troops and ICE enforcers patrolling American streets<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-54636 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2240755175-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" \/>\r\n\r\n<strong>Background:\u00a0<\/strong>In 2025, President Trump\u00a0<a id=\"menur2c9\" class=\"fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn\" title=\"https:\/\/capitalbnews.org\/trump-national-guard-city-updates\/\" href=\"https:\/\/capitalbnews.org\/trump-national-guard-city-updates\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Link sent\u00a0troops\u00a0to\u00a0ten cities\">sent\u00a0troops\u00a0to\u00a0ten cities<\/a>, including Washington D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, to intimidate and silence dissent. He has continued this intimidation tactic in 2026, deploying armed, federal ICE officers to Minnesota - overriding local officials and silencing residents who never asked for armed federal police patrolling their streets.\r\n\r\nAnd of course, we are all still\u00a0mourning\u00a0the\u00a0killing\u00a0of Renee Good\u00a0at the hands of ICE.\u00a0Rather than unite us, Trump\u00a0threatened to invoke\u00a0the\u00a0Insurrection Act\u00a0against Minneapolis citizens protesting\u00a0his\u00a0federal overreach.\r\n\r\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Voting experts\u00a0warn\u00a0deployments like these\u00a0could\u00a0intimidate voters and\u00a0suppress\u00a0turnout in the upcoming elections.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What We\u2019re Doing: <\/span><\/b><span class=\"TextRun SCXW15048842 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW15048842 BCX0\">We\u2019re <\/span><\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW15048842 BCX0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/resources\/letter-to-congress-calling-for-investigation-into-ice-and-cbp-use-of-force\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW15048842 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><strong><span class=\"NormalTextRun CommentStart CommentHighlightPipeRest CommentHighlightRest SCXW15048842 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">calling for\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun CommentHighlightRest SCXW15048842 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">Congressional oversight of ICE and immigration enforcemen<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun CommentHighlightRest SCXW15048842 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">t<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"NormalTextRun CommentHighlightRest SCXW15048842 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\"><strong>. \u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/b><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW15048842 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun CommentHighlightRest SCXW15048842 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">We demand that Congress not continue to fund <\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW15048842 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun CommentHighlightRest SCXW15048842 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">ICE until there is accountability <\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW15048842 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun CommentHighlightRest SCXW15048842 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">and reform.<\/span><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">\u00a0<\/span>In Minnesota,\u00a0Illinois, and California,\u00a0we\u2019ve\u00a0worked with our partners to build rapid-response volunteer networks ready\u00a0to protect their neighbors and strengthen community\u00a0resilience.\u00a0We\u2019re\u00a0also advocating for legislation like\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news10.com\/news\/northeast-news\/gounardes-national-guard-deployment\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">New York\u2019s SB 8533<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, which would prevent other states from deploying\u00a0their National Guard to New York without the governor\u2019s consent.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">5. Campaign finance laws aren\u2019t getting enforced \u2013 when\u00a0\u00a0we need them most <\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-27318 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.commoncause.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/GettyImages-1294493903-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" \/>\r\n\r\n<b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Background:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Federal Election Commission\u00a0(FEC)\u00a0is\u00a0the agency responsible for enforcing our campaign finance laws. But because it currently has four of its six seats vacant,\u00a0the FEC can\u2019t take any official actions\u00a0or\u00a0hold politicians accountable.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">That means as we enter one of the most competitive elections in recent history, bad actors, foreign autocrats, and billionaires\u00a0could be emboldened to\u00a0game our elections and pour unlimited money into extremist candidates \u2013 without any oversight.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What\u00a0We\u2019re\u00a0Doing:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0We're\u00a0calling on President Trump to fully staff the FEC with well-qualified commissioners so it can enforce\u00a0campaign finance laws during the\u00a02026 elections and make sure all candidates are playing by the same rules.\u00a0We\u00a0will\u00a0also\u00a0be\u00a0educating the public about the five-year statute of limitations on campaign finance violations\u00a0\u2013 to put\u00a0candidates and\u00a0donors on notice that their actions today\u00a0could\u00a0have consequences in the future.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span>\r\n<h3><strong>Bottom Line<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Here\u2019s\u00a0the\u00a0bottom line:\u00a0democracy\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0a\u00a0spectator\u00a0sport, and these troubling trends\u00a0won\u2019t\u00a0fix themselves. But when people organize and fight back, we can make\u00a0real\u00a0change.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Share this post. And remember, your voice, your vote, and your attention matter more than ever before.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Want to join our people-powered movement? 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