Annenberg Civics Knowledge Survey

The Annenberg Civics Knowledge Survey, conducted since 2006, focuses on the public’s understanding of the Constitution of the United States. Since 2013, the civics knowledge survey has been conducted annually for Constitution Day (Sept. 17) as the Annenberg Constitution Day Civics Survey. Among the most recent 2021 findings:

• In 2021, 56% of U.S. adults could name all three branches of government – the highest level seen in this survey. In 2006 only 33% could name all the branches.
• Asked to name the five rights protected by the First Amendment, more Americans could name most of those rights. In 2021, freedom of speech was named by 74% (up from 48% in 2017).
• Facebook and the First Amendment: Six in 10 Americans (61%) incorrectly believe it is accurate to say that the First Amendment protection of freedom of speech means that Facebook must permit all Americans to freely express themselves on Facebook pages. The First Amendment protects citizens from government censorship. Social media companies such as Facebook are private companies and courts have ruled that private entities are not covered by it.
• The Capitol riot: Half of Americans (49%) said it was accurate to say that arresting those who entered the U.S. Capitol on January 6 to disrupt the certification of the presidential election violated the Constitution because they were exercising their constitutional right to petition the government for redress of grievances. An equal number (49%) said the statement was inaccurate, and arresting those who entered the Capitol did not violate the Constitution.
• A 5-4 ruling: Asked what it means when the Supreme Court rules 5-4 in a case, 61% correctly chose “the decision is the law and needs to be followed.” A third of respondents incorrectly chose either “the decision is sent back to Congress for reconsideration” (19%) or “the decision is sent back to the federal court of appeals to be decided there” (15%).

Read the entire survey results HERE. Watch the video HERE.