Promoting scholarship, knowledge, and dialogue on American democracy
Rooney Reports
Rooney Reports present brief summaries of cutting-edge data on the state of American democracy intended for a broad audience. Most of the reports are based on the Notre Dame Health of Democracy Survey.
Keeping the Republic Conference
The Notre Dame Keeping the Republic Conference brings together a group of both prominent senior researchers and early-career scholars dedicated to a broad revitalization of American democracy—not just in the sense of self-government—but rather as a societal commitment to the equal dignity and inclusion of each person and social institutions that encourage broad and open participation.
Health of Democracy Survey
Since October 2022, the Rooney Democracy Institute has conducted nationally representative surveys to assess the health of democracy and citizen attitudes. This ongoing project monitors popular trends in democratic attitudes and supports research on the state of American democracy.
The Hesburgh Program in Public Service
A career-oriented minor in public policy
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Live, learn, and intern in Washington, D.C.
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USA Today
These politicians love talking about religion. They're also Democrats
August 25, 2026
Democrats' coalition of voters tends to be the most religiously diverse, but also the most secular, said David Campbell, director of the University of Notre Dame Democracy Initiative.
Mentions
Political Science
Congress’ wide age gap comes into focus
August 24, 2026
“Voters have these attitudes that they don’t want older members. But then when these older members run, especially incumbents run, they tend to put them back in power,” said James M. Curry, a political science professor at the University of Notre Dame. “Voters are the stopgap.”
Mentions
Political Science