Wednesday, June 19, 2019
10:00am
Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2200
Washington, DC
United StatesTitle
International Election Observation in the U.S. and Beyond
Why It Matters
Moderator(s):
Name:
Alex T. Johnson
Title Text:
Chief of Staff
Body:
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Witnesses:
Name:
Gerardo de Icaza
Title:
Director, Department of Electoral Cooperation and Observation
Body:
Organization of American States
Statement:
Name:
Laura Jewett
Title:
Senior Associate and Regional Director for Eurasia Programs
Body:
National Democratic Institute
Name:
Richard Lappin
Title:
Deputy Head, Elections Department
Body:
OSCE Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)
Name:
Tana de Zulueta
Title:
Head
Body:
ODIHR Limited Election Observation Mission to 2018 U.S. Mid-Term Elections
Statement:
In 1990, the 57 participating States of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) pledged to hold free and fair elections. Election observation is one of the most transparent and methodical ways to encourage countries to uphold their commitment to democratic standards, and is a core element of the OSCE’s efforts to promote human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Since the 1990s, the OSCE has been invited to observe approximately 250 elections in countries throughout the OSCE region, including the United States and Russia.
In addition to the OSCE, the United Nations, Organization for American States, European Union, and other multilateral organizations routinely participate in international election observation. Civil society actors—including U.S.-based organizations like the National Democratic and International Republican Institute, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, and the Carter Center—also observe elections around the world with the common goal of upholding democratic standards.
The briefing focused on the benefits and challenges of international election observation, best practices, and emerging issues like voting technology and security.
Leadership: