Scoring Methodology & Transparency
The Public Record Score is never an opinion. It is the automatic sum of five weighted categories, each of which can only lose points when a classified record entry is backed by qualifying evidence. No one types a score by hand, and no allegation ever moves a number on its own.
The Tenure Requirement
Every official begins at 10.00. But a blank score is only honest for an official with no record yet. Once an official has served more than one year in office, a 10.00 cannot stand on its own — it would mean no verified record entries and no reviewed performance data have been entered, which is a data gap to be filled, not a clean bill of health.
May legitimately hold a near-10.00 score if no verified record entries exist against them. Their record is still being built.
Must have their in-office record uploaded and reflected in the score. A 10.00 here flags missing data, not innocence.
- Documented voting record and official actions taken in office.
- Any classified record entries — statements, cases, ethics findings, corrections.
The Five Categories & Their Weights
| Category | Max Points |
|---|---|
| Truthfulness | 2.00 |
| Legal Conduct | 3.00 |
| Ethics | 2.00 |
| Financial Integrity | 1.50 |
| Public Accountability | 1.50 |
| Total | 10.00 |
This category measures conduct, not optics: compliance with public-record laws, cooperation with investigations, correction of material errors, attendance and official-duty participation, required disclosure compliance, response to substantiated public concerns, and misuse of government communication or resources. Declining to respond to this platform is recorded as "No response" but is not itself a deduction unless a legal duty to disclose was breached.
Knowing or appearing with a controversial person never reduces a score. Relationships are assessed only for documented public relevance — financial conflicts, undisclosed business relationships, gifts or benefits, lobbying connections, criminal conspiracy, ethics violations, nepotism, or official actions benefiting associates — and only when backed by Tier 1 or Tier 2 evidence.
Evidence Tiers
Court filings, FEC filings, official ethics rulings, government audit reports, legislative voting records.
Reporting from outlets with editorial standards and documented sourcing.
Social-media posts, anonymous tips, hearsay.
Classification Ladder
Every record entry is classified. We never present an allegation as a proven fact. The classification determines whether a deduction is provisional or standing.
An unproven claim. Logged, no score impact unless elevated.
A formal inquiry is open. Provisional, reversible note.
Charges filed. Provisional deduction; restored on acquittal/dismissal.
Formal indictment. Provisional deduction; restored if overturned.
Adjudicated guilt. Deduction stands unless overturned on appeal.
Cleared at trial. Any provisional deduction is restored.
Case dismissed. Any provisional deduction is restored.
A civil court finding. Deduction scaled to severity.
Official ethics ruling. Deduction stands unless overturned.
The official corrected the record. Truthfulness impact may be reduced.
Prior finding reversed. Deduction restored in full.
A Worked Example
Follow a fictional official step by step. Each record entry is classified and tied to an evidence tier before any number moves.
- False statement on campaign financesVerified FactTier 2 — established journalism + official filings
Two Tier 1 sources ( FEC filings ) corroborated by Tier 2 reporting. Not an allegation — a verified, uncorrected false statement.
10.00−0.60→9.40(Truthfulness) - Federal bribery indictment filedIndictmentTier 1 — court filing
An indictment is a charge, not a conviction. The deduction is provisional and is restored if the official is acquitted or the case is dismissed.
9.40−1.00→8.40(Legal Conduct) - Anonymous social-media tip about an undisclosed associationAllegationTier 3 — social / anonymous
Tier 3 evidence alone never changes a score — and an association is never a deduction on its own. This tip is logged for review but has zero score impact until corroborated by Tier 1 or Tier 2 evidence showing documented public relevance (a financial conflict, undisclosed business relationship, gift, or official action benefiting an associate).
8.400.00 (no change)→8.40(Public Accountability) - Ethics committee finding: misuse of officeEthics FindingTier 1 — official ethics ruling
An official ethics ruling is documented, not alleged. Deduction stands unless the finding is overturned on appeal.
8.40−0.80→7.60(Ethics)
Example is fictional and illustrative only. No score reflects a real person. Every deduction above is traceable to a classified record entry with a documented evidence tier.
When People Disagree With a Score
Two of the most common objections — "this score is too high" and "this score is too low" — each resolve through the same rule: only verified evidence moves the number, and provisional deductions are restored on acquittal, dismissal, or overturn.
'The score looks too HIGH'
A reader believes an official's score is too high given serious documented misconduct. Here is how a verified conviction — not an allegation — lowers the score.
Felony bribery conviction, final judgment, not under appeal.
Formal sanction tied to the same conduct.
'The score looks too LOW'
A reader believes an official's score is unfairly low because of a charge. Charges and indictments are provisional — the deduction is restored on acquittal, dismissal, or overturn.
Provisional deduction — charge is not a finding of guilt.
ProvisionalCharge did not result in conviction; provisional deduction restored.
Deduction restoredAudit & Integrity
- Reviewers cannot approve their own submissions.
- Every score change is logged with the prior score, the change, the new score, and the reason.
- Identical standards apply to all officials regardless of party.
- Anyone can submit evidence or request a correction.
