The United States has never had a perfect democracy. From the start, the story has been one of exclusion - and for the fight against it. Struggles over voting rights for African Americans, women, non-landowners, and immigrant groups mark the history of democracy in this country, and the work is not finished. Disenfranchisement and barriers to voting persist in the 21st century. Incarcerated persons, those with felonies, and those without citizenship often remain excluded from participating in collective decision-making. Still, take a long enough view and the direction of the American experiment is clear; toward a more perfect democracy, toward greater expansion of the vote, and toward a more accountable government. What is remarkable about this project is that democracy itself is the tool that allows for more democracy. It is only with our rights to assembly, to expression, and to fair elections that we expand our ability to make democratic decisions. 

This November we are faced with serious challenges to the elections. Taken individually, each risk posed to the process may not seem serious, but together they represent a worrying shift. In every instance where democracy has been attacked, norms are weakened little by little until the entire system begins to contract. The threats to this election, combined with the slow erosion of voting access over the last fifteen years, represent a reflection point for Americans. 

In this blog, I have identified two especially troubling trends looming over the elections; the intimidation of political rivals and the use of state power to influence results. I do not mean to argue that the threats posed by these dangers fatally wound American democracy – quite the opposite; in November, we have a chance to firmly reject these infringements – but it is important that we recognize the risks they pose. 

Intimidation of political rivals

        On the 12th of October, 2026, less than a month before election day, federal agents searched Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar's Washington D.C. home. Ostensibly conducted over concerns that Omar had committed immigration fraud, the search breaks with a historical Justice Department norm of avoiding actions against elected officials within 60 days of an election. Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota, wrote on social media that the raid represented, "President Trump [...] abusing his power to go after political opponents weeks before an election." 

This raid, taken so soon before Omar's midterm race, represents a serious violation of democratic norms, and is part of a broader trend of punishment of political rivals exhibited by the administration. It also echoes similar moves taken early in the experience of democratic backsliding in countries like Türkiye, where long-time president Recep Erdogan has made a habit of arresting, investigating, or otherwise intimidating his political rivals.

Both Trump and Erdogan's actions have the goal of painting opponents as criminals, and of making clear that they will take extraordinary efforts to intimidate their critics. This is not a policy compatible with liberal democracy, nor is it one respectful of popular decision-making.

Misuse of state power

        Political advertisements are a hallmark of election season, with much of the fundraising done by candidates going toward T.V. spots and internet pop-ups. There are strict rules about how money can be raised and how it can be spent. This election season, though, taxpayer dollars, nor private funding, have gone directly to running advertisements heavily featuring President Trump and Secretary Hegseth touting the accomplishments of their administration.

        The use of government funding for political promotion (although the administration maintains that they are "public service announcements") is an extraordinary misuse of public office, and seriously undermines the fairness of the electoral process.

        Similar misuse of government funding to promote a political campaign, although on a much larger scale, can be seen in the behavior of Hungary's ex-prime minister Viktor Orbán. Orbán, who spent some 20 years leading Hungary, consistently used state media to promote his Fidesz party, unfairly tipping the scale against his political opponents. 

        In both cases, the machinery of the state, which in a democracy is meant to be used to impartially conduct elections, is used as an instrument to favor one party over another. If an election is to be fair, it is necessary that all candidates have access to the same resources. When the ruling party is able to use the nearly unlimited resources of government in order to remain in power, democracy is seriously imperiled. 

The midterms

        I am not arguing that the United States is anywhere near the point of Orbán-era Hungary or Erdogan's Türkiye. We maintain a strong democracy and have a healthy culture of civic engagement. But in the U.S., like at the start of the Hungarian or Turkish authoritarian projects, we are seeing a slow chipping away at the foundations of our democracy.

        This November, it is important that we remember that we have just as much agency to maintain our rights to political participation as those who seek to degrade them. On the ballot, in the streets, and in political speech, we can push back against the threats to our democracy. History tells us that the odds are on the side of democracy; against attempts to stymy it, collective decision-making has nearly always prevailed. From Poland's Solidarity movement to Brazil's Diretas Ja, the message is clear: There is no barrier so insurmountable that the people, working together, cannot overcome it. 

        If you want to learn more about the importance of public expression and free elections in maintaining human rights, you can visit the Enabling Rights section of the Imagine Rights page. 

        To learn more about voting this November, visit the Right to Vote section of the website.

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this blog are the author’s only and do not reflect an official position of the University of Minnesota, the Human Rights Program, or the College of Liberal Arts. As an institution of higher education that values and promotes free speech, civil discourse, and human rights we welcome a variety of perspectives and opinions from our student contributors that are consistent with these values.