ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

What/When:
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems' (IFES) U.S. Election Program brings together election practitioners, government and judicial leaders, and diplomats from around the world to observe and discuss the U.S. electoral process and to engage in dialogue about current electoral topics. The 2016 U.S. Election Program will host more than 450 participants from 80 countries for a five-day conference at the Marriott Marquis Hotel (901 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001).

Members of the media are invited to participate and to cover the activities scheduled for Election Day, Nov. 8^th :

• Election Day Breakfast Briefing   8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

These veterans of the American political scene will evaluate the presidential campaigns, examine the latest public opinion data and discuss the Congressional races.

Frank J. Fahrenkopf Jr., Co-Chairman, Commission on Presidential Debates

Michael D. McCurry, Co-Chairman, Commission on Presidential Debates

Moderated by Bill Sweeney, President and CEO, International Foundation for Electoral Systems

• Tour of Polling Stations in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Join international election commissioners as they take an exclusive half-day tour of polling sites in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. We can accommodate you in the bus carrying the group from your country/region of interest.

• Joe C. Baxter Award and Election Night Reception 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

IFES will present the 2016 Joe C. Baxter Award to Chafik Sarsar, president of Tunisia's Independent High Authority for Elections, recognizing his contributions to the field of election administration. The event will be followed by an evening reception featuring televised election coverage by major U.S. media networks. Conference participants, representatives of the global democracy and governance community, foreign dignitaries and other key stakeholders are invited to attend.

As the global leader in democracy promotion, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) advances good governance and democratic rights by providing technical assistance to election officials; empowering the underrepresented to participate in the political process; and applying field-based research to improve the electoral cycle. Since 1987, IFES has worked in over 145 countries, from developing democracies, to mature democracies.

CONTACT: Daniela Colaiacovo