1 in 3 Americans Can't Name Govt Branches

A third of Americans cannot name the three branches of government, according to the 2026 Annenberg Constitution Day Civics Survey. The survey found that 35% of U.S. adults cannot name all three branches, while 65% can name the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

The survey, which was conducted among a nationally representative sample of 1,034 U.S. adults from Aug. 6-9, 2026, also found that knowledge of the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment is limited. Only 9% of respondents correctly named all five protections, which include freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, freedom of the press, and the right to petition the government.

The survey found that 73% of respondents cited freedom of speech as a right guaranteed by the First Amendment, while 43% named freedom of religion, 31% named freedom of assembly, 29% named freedom of the press, and 12% named the right to petition the government.

The lack of knowledge about the Constitution and its protections is a concern, as it can have significant implications for the exercise of rights and the functioning of democracy. The survey also found that 56% of U.S. adults say it is 'very' or 'somewhat' inaccurate to say that people who are in the country illegally do not have any rights under the Constitution.

## Why it matters The findings of the survey highlight the importance of civic education and awareness about the Constitution and its protections. The fact that a significant proportion of Americans cannot name the three branches of government or identify the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment suggests a need for greater emphasis on civic education and engagement. This lack of knowledge can have significant consequences, as it can limit the ability of citizens to participate fully in the democratic process and to exercise their rights.