Elections
Voting access, administration, certification, redistricting.
72/100
14d +1.4Today's assessment
D2
U.S. democracy is at acute.
Acute backsliding; constitutional risk; EIU 'Hybrid Regime' band. Six lanes — elections, institutions, civil liberties, violence, information, and economy — are scored daily from primary legal records, watchdog and academic data, and corroborating reporting.
Updated How is this scored? →
The six lanes
Where the strain is showing
Institutions
Courts, civil service, separation of powers, oversight.
37/100
14d -1.4Civil Liberties
Speech, assembly, protest, due process, minority rights.
0/100
14d flatViolence
Political violence, intimidation, paramilitary activity.
70/100
14d +0.1Information
Press freedom, disinformation, government transparency.
24/100
14d -3.7Economy
Independence of regulators, kleptocracy risk, market trust.
67/100
14d -1.0Latest events
What changed in the last 72 hours
Civil LibertiesSevere
Final rule: Rescission of Guidelines on Affirmative Action Appropriate Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as Amended
Agencies: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission — The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC" or "Commission") is rescinding its regulations regarding Affirmative Action Appropriate Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ("Guidelines"), and removing it from the Code of Federal Regulations. The Commission is rescinding the Guidelines and removing them from the Code of Federal Regulations because the Guidelines are inconsistent with the statutory language and were not supported by Supreme Court precedent when issued; they are obsolete; they only apply to affirmative action to benefit women or minorities; and they do not take into account multiple relevant Supreme Court cases and numerous developments in the lower courts, over the past four decades since their issuance in…
-2.0
Civil LibertiesSevere
Final rule: Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs of NASA-Effectuation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Agencies: National Aeronautics and Space Administration — NASA is amending its regulation implementing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) for federally assisted programs to conform more closely to the statutory text and recent revisions by the Department of Justice (DOJ). This action removes provisions establishing disparate-impact liability. The rule also clarifies that Title VI reaches employment practices under this part only where employment is a primary objective of the Federal financial assistance or where intentional discrimination is shown. These changes align NASA's regulation with Title VI and promote consistency across Federal agencies. — [topic:discrimination+agency:epa]
-2.0
Civil LibertiesSerious
Final rule: Counter-UAS Authority for State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Law Enforcement and Correctional Agencies
Agencies: Homeland Security Department, Justice Department — In this interim final rule ("IFR"), the Department of Justice ("DOJ") and the Department of Homeland Security ("DHS") (collectively, "the Departments") codify the framework for implementing the SAFER SKIES Act, which authorizes State, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement or correctional ("SLTT") agencies to conduct counter-unmanned aircraft system ("C-UAS") operations. This framework governs training and certification (including a two-tiered structure for detection and warning operations and for mitigation operations), authorized technologies, spectrum coordination, airspace approval, real-time air traffic control notification, mitigation reporting, privacy protections, and compliance requirements for SLTT agencies in…
-1.5
ViolenceSevere
Proposed rule: Fingerprint and Photograph Requirements for Firearms Applications
Agencies: Justice Department, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Bureau — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives ("ATF") proposes amending regulatory requirements to submit fingerprints and photographs with firearms applications. Currently, applicants must submit 2" x 2" passport-style photographs and either one or two fingerprint cards, depending on the application type. ATF proposes that all applicants, whether individuals or responsible persons ("RPs") for entity applicants, could instead submit a copy of a photo ID, and that individuals and Gun Control Act RPs would submit just one fingerprint card. RPs under the National Firearms Act would submit one fingerprint card only if needed to facilitate a background check. — [firearm_substantive+agency:epa]
-2.0
InformationSerious
A journalist’s fight for Epstein transparency
Dear Friend of Press Freedom: Journalist Katie Phang recently won a major victory in her lawsuit seeking to force the government to follow the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Her message to other independent journalists who want to fight government secrecy? “Our case is proof that you can do this.” Read on for more on how you can help defend press freedom this week. A journalist’s fight for Epstein transparency When Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act with broad bipartisan support, the Justice Department was given until Dec. 19, 2025, to release all unclassified files related to the Epstein investigation. The department blew the deadline, but trial lawyer, independent journalist, and former MSNBC host Katie Phang sued to force compliance. Last week, she won a decision that…
-3.0
Civil LibertiesSerious
“He Didn’t Need to Die.” How an Immigration Detention Center Repeatedly Failed to Address a Mental Health Crisis.
The post “He Didn’t Need to Die.” How an Immigration Detention Center Repeatedly Failed to Address a Mental Health Crisis. appeared first on ProPublica . [kw:detention center]
-1.5
Close to home · New Jersey
What's happening in NJ right now
Civil LibertiesCrisis
NJ Spotlight News: June 24, 2026
Delaney Hall — triggers: hunger strike [NJ]. We bring you what’s relevant and important in New Jersey news and our insight. Watch as the NJ Spotlight News team breaks down today’s top stories. 00:00 - Opening 00:59 - Assessing World Cup travel 9:39 - Delaney Hall hunger strike ends after 'retaliation,' journalist says 17:12 - Bipartisan housing bill on hold 17:58
-5.5
Civil LibertiesCrisis
Delaney Hall hunger strike ends after ‘retaliation,’ journalist says
Delaney Hall — triggers: hunger strike [NJ]. “Detainees, relatives of detainees and advocates on the ground have been saying it’s not sustainable anymore at this point for the people who remain to participate in a hunger and labor strike,” said Daysi Calavia-Robertson, a columnist for NJ.com. “Because they are being retaliated against.” Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE
-5.5
Civil LibertiesCrisis
‘We’re doing it all for them’: Radio Jornalera NJ exposes conditions faced by immigrants in detention
Delaney Hall — triggers: hunger strike [NJ]. <p>Grassroots outlet reports from New Jersey’s Delaney Hall – and helps family members connect with loved ones inside</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/17/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox?utm_medium=ACQUISITIONS_STANDFIRST&utm_campai
-5.5
Edited from Leonia, NJ. The Delaney Hall hunger strike, ICE facility oversight, and state-level pushback get extra attention on ICE Watch and Local NJ.
Editorial posture
Major media is corroboration, not the verdict.
Democratic backsliding is documented in court filings, agency orders, and academic indices long before it dominates a news cycle. Democracy on the Line weights those primary sources highest. Wire services and national dailies appear here as confirmation, never as the trigger for a severe alert.
Read the full methodology →Institutions, 14-day
14d ago37today