Institutions of Democracy

In a new white paper, "Presidential Debates: What's Behind the Numbers?" researchers from the Annenberg Public Policy Center take a close look at the data on the audience, ratings, and motivations of viewers of general-election presidential debates.

Only a quarter of Americans can name all three branches of government, the poorest showing on that question in a half-dozen years, a new survey on civic knowledge has found. The GOP presidential candidate was known to only 84 percent of the public.

Ellis Island, formerly the entry point for millions seeking a new life in America, will host the swearing-in of more than 300 immigrants as new citizens on Friday, Sept. 16, in one of many events celebrating Constitution Day.

For Constitution Day, Annenberg Classroom has released a video on the First Amendment and a free press and re-released another about civil liberties and the detention of Japanese-Americans during World War II.

Washington Post Executive Editor Marty Baron will talk about the media and policy change with APPC Director Kathleen Hall Jamieson in an event sponsored by the Fels Institute of Government.

How do swing voters view the presidential candidates and the state of the nation? On August 25, pollster Peter Hart will find out in a focus group with swing voters in Milwaukee, on behalf of APPC.

FactCheck.org provided daily coverage of the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, and announced a partnership with NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations to develop fact-checking videos.

Kathleen Hall Jamieson spoke at the prestigious Westminster Town Hall Forum in Minneapolis about the presidential campaign. Minnesota Public Radio, which broadcast the forum, also interviewed Jamieson about political advertising.

On June 21, pollster Peter Hart will conduct a focus group for the policy center of blue-collar and economically struggling workers in Pittsburgh, to get their opinions on the 2016 presidential race.