Eleanor Finch
While the United States Constitution remains important 250 years after its inception, a significant portion of Americans believe their constitutional rights are not as secure today as they were in the past. A 2018 survey by the Montpelier Foundation found that 41% of Americans think the Constitution needs to be amended or expanded, with a majority of this group advocating for more restrictions on gun ownership. These concerns about constitutional rights are underscored by a perception of dilution, with 76% of respondents in the same survey expressing this view. The survey also revealed divisions along ethnic, racial, and gender lines, indicating varying interpretations of constitutional rights within the American populace.
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What You'll Learn
A majority of Americans worry about their constitutional rights
A 2018 survey by the Montpelier Foundation found that a majority of Americans are worried about their constitutional rights. The study, which polled 2,500 people, revealed that 76% of Americans believe their constitutional rights are less secure now than in the past. 86% of respondents also acknowledged that Americans take their rights for granted.
The survey further highlighted that at least 90% of respondents considered civil rights, data privacy, voting rights, and freedom of the press as pressing personal concerns, outranking issues like gun control and abortion. Notably, 41% of Americans expressed the belief that the Constitution needs amendments or expansions, with a focus on imposing more restrictions on gun ownership.
The results also exposed divisions along ethnic, racial, and gender lines. For instance, women were more inclined than men to emphasize the importance of gun rights. On the topic of criminal justice, 73% of white respondents expressed confidence in the police conducting searches and arrests constitutionally, compared to only 40% of African Americans.
While the survey indicated a strong belief in the nation's founding documents, it also underscored a lack of understanding about constitutional provisions. A separate Annenberg Civics Knowledge Survey found that only 26% of Americans could name all three branches of government, and over a third couldn't name any rights guaranteed under the First Amendment.
The Annenberg survey also revealed a decline in knowledge about the First Amendment rights and the three branches of government. Less than half of U.S. adults (47%) could name all three branches, a drop from 56% in 2021. This decline in constitutional knowledge is concerning, as it may hinder the protection and exercise of rights.
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41% of Americans want the Constitution amended or expanded
A 2018 survey by the Montpelier Foundation found that 41% of Americans believe the Constitution needs to be amended or expanded. This is not surprising given that the same study found that 76% of Americans believe their constitutional rights are not as secure today as they were in the past, and 86% believe Americans take their rights for granted. The study also found that 90% or more of respondents ranked civil rights, data privacy, voting rights, and freedom of the press as top personal concerns.
The 2018 survey also revealed divisions along ethnic, racial, and gender lines. For example, women were more likely than men to consider gun rights more important, and 73% of white respondents believed that police conduct searches and arrests in a constitutional manner, compared to only 40% of African Americans.
The Annenberg Civics Knowledge Survey, released for Constitution Day in 2022, revealed a decline in Americans' knowledge of their First Amendment rights and the three branches of government. Less than half of U.S. adults (47%) could name all three branches of government, a decline from 56% in 2021. The survey also found that 39% of Americans support allowing Congress to prevent the news media from reporting on national security issues without government approval, and nearly two-thirds of self-described conservatives (63%) believe Facebook posts are protected by the First Amendment.
While the 2018 Montpelier Foundation survey and the 2022 Annenberg Civics Knowledge Survey suggest that a significant minority of Americans want amendments to the Constitution, it is important to note that other polls indicate a general belief in the nation's founding documents. For instance, a 2025 YouGov poll found that 50% of Americans believe the U.S. is a democracy, while 28% disagree, and 22% are unsure.
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56% of Americans agree the US is in a constitutional crisis
A 2025 YouGov survey reveals that 56% of Americans believe the country is in a constitutional crisis. This view is more prevalent among Democrats than Republicans (82% vs. 26%). The same survey also found that only 50% of Americans believe the U.S. is a democracy, with 28% disagreeing and 22% unsure. Interestingly, Republicans are more likely than Democrats to agree with this statement (59% vs. 52%).
The partisan divide is even more pronounced when it comes to the perception of the U.S. as a dictatorship, with 24% of Americans overall agreeing, including 35% of Democrats and only 7% of Republicans. These findings highlight a significant shift from February 2025, when 56% of Americans considered the U.S. a democracy and only 18% viewed it as a dictatorship.
The survey also revealed that 67% of Americans are fearful about the current state of the world, with 29% expressing that they are "very scared." Democrats have become increasingly more likely to express fear compared to Republicans (47% vs. 10%). Extremism is cited as a potential factor contributing to these concerns.
While the YouGov survey did not provide specific reasons for Americans' beliefs about a constitutional crisis, other polls offer insights into Americans' perceptions of their constitutional rights. A 2018 Montpelier Foundation poll found that 76% of Americans feel their constitutional rights are less secure now than in the past. This perception cuts across ethnic, racial, and gender lines, with women expressing stronger beliefs in the importance of gun rights.
Additionally, a 2023 Annenberg Public Policy Center survey revealed that 53% of Americans incorrectly believe that immigrants in the country illegally have no rights under the U.S. Constitution. This misperception is more common among political conservatives (67%) than moderates (48%) and liberals (46%). The survey also found that only 26% of Americans can name all three branches of government, underscoring a need for improved civics education.
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Americans are poorly informed about basic constitutional provisions
While there is no specific mention of the percentage of Americans who think a new constitution is needed, a 2018 survey by the Montpelier Foundation revealed that Americans are worried about their constitutional rights. The survey found that 76% of Americans believe their constitutional rights are not as secure as they were in the past. 41% of Americans believe that the Constitution needs to be amended or expanded, with a majority of this group wanting more restrictions on gun ownership.
Despite the concern over constitutional rights, Americans are poorly informed about basic constitutional provisions. According to a 2018 survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center, 53% of Americans incorrectly believe that immigrants in the country illegally do not have any rights under the US Constitution. Furthermore, 37% of those surveyed could not name any of the rights guaranteed under the First Amendment, and only 26% could name all three branches of government. These findings highlight a lack of understanding of fundamental constitutional principles among Americans.
The survey also revealed differences in responses along political, ethnic, and racial lines. For instance, 67% of self-identified political conservatives held the incorrect belief that illegal immigrants had no rights, compared to 48% of moderates and 46% of liberals. Similarly, on the issue of criminal justice, 73% of white respondents believed that police conducted searches and arrests in a constitutional manner, while only 40% of African Americans shared this view.
The survey underscores the need for better civic education in schools and more informative press reporting on constitutional protections. It is important for Americans to understand their rights and the rights of others, as well as the historical and contemporary context in which these rights operate. This includes knowledge about the actual history and workings of racism and anti-Semitism, which are often not adequately addressed in the educational system.
To address these gaps in knowledge, organizations like Annenberg Classroom have partnered with nonpartisan groups to create the Civics Renewal Network, providing free educational materials online. These efforts aim to empower Americans with a deeper understanding of their constitutional rights and promote more informed civic engagement.
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Americans believe in the nation's founding documents
While there is no direct percentage available for the number of Americans who believe in the nation's founding documents, several polls and surveys indicate that Americans hold differing views on the US Constitution.
A 2018 Montpelier Foundation poll of 2,500 people found that 76% of Americans believe their constitutional rights are not as secure today as they were in the past. The same study also found that 41% of Americans believe the Constitution needs to be amended or expanded, with a majority of this group wanting more restrictions on gun ownership. These findings suggest that while many Americans believe their constitutional rights are important, they also recognise the need for change and stronger protections in certain areas.
Another survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania revealed that Americans have a mixed understanding of their constitutional rights. For example, 53% incorrectly believe that immigrants in the US illegally have no rights under the Constitution, and 37% cannot name any of the rights guaranteed under the First Amendment. Despite these knowledge gaps, the survey also indicated that Americans value their constitutional rights. For instance, 82% correctly understand that the Supreme Court has upheld the constitutional right to own a handgun.
In terms of political leanings, surveys show that Americans across the political spectrum have varying perceptions of constitutional issues. For instance, in a 2025 YouGov survey, 56% of Americans agreed that the US is in a constitutional crisis, with Democrats being more likely to agree (82%) than Republicans (26%). Additionally, Republicans are more likely than Democrats to say they have become more conservative (41% vs. 3%), while Democrats are more likely to say they have become more liberal (38% vs. 3%). These results highlight the complex and diverse attitudes Americans hold towards their nation's founding documents and the current political climate.
Overall, while there may be differing interpretations and levels of understanding, Americans generally believe in the importance of their nation's founding documents, as evidenced by their concerns over constitutional rights and the desire to see these rights protected and expanded. However, the exact percentage of Americans who hold this belief cannot be definitively stated based on the available sources.
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Frequently asked questions
76% of Americans think their constitutional rights are not as secure today as they were in the past.
41% of Americans believe the Constitution needs to be amended or expanded.
56% of Americans believe that the U.S. is in a constitutional crisis.
Only 26% of Americans can name all three branches of the government.
