Main Page: http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/usa/246356
see also: Interim Report - Oct. 26, 2016 [PDF]

General Elections, 8 November 2016

Type:  Election observation mission
Country: United States of America

Mission at a glance

  • Head of Mission: Dame Audrey Glover 
  • 11 core team experts from 10 participating States, based in Washington D.C.
  • 26 long-term observers to be deployed throughout the country
  • 400 short-term observers requested from participating States

Mission schedule

4 October:                  Opening press conference

9 October:                  Arrival of long-term observers

10 October:                Briefing of long-term observers

11 October:                Deployment of long-term observers

4 November:             Arrival of short-term observers

5 November:             Briefing of short-term observers

6 November:             Deployment of short-term observers

8 November:             Election day

9 November:              Press conference on preliminary findings and conclusions

11 November:            Departure of short-term observers

13 November:            Departure of long-term observers

16 November:            Departure of the core team

Following an invitation to observe the 8 November 2016 general elections in the United States of America, based on the findings and conclusions of the Needs Assessment Mission deployed from 16 to 20 May 2016, and in accordance with its mandate, the OSCE/ODIHR has deployed an Election Observation Mission (EOM) to observe these elections.

Long-term observation

The OSCE/ODIHR EOM, headed by Dame Audrey Glover, consists of 11 international experts based in Washington D.C. In addition, 26 long-term observers will be deployed throughout the country from 11 October.

The OSCE/ODIHR EOM will assess these elections for their compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation. Observers will closely monitor voter and candidate registration, campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies, election-related legislation and its implementation, the media environment, and the resolution of election-related disputes. As part of the observation, the mission will also monitor the media coverage of the campaign.

Election Day

The OSCE/ODIHR has requested 400 short-term observers to be deployed immediately prior to the 8 November general elections. The short-term observers will be deployed throughout the country in multinational teams of two to monitor the opening of polling stations, the voting, the counting of ballots, and the tabulation of results.

The day after the elections, ODIHR will issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions at a press conference. A final report on the observation of the entire electoral process will be issued approximately eight weeks after the end of the electoral process.

Co-operation with Other Partners

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is planning to deploy observer delegations for these elections.

Previous elections 

The OSCE/ODIHR has observed six elections in United States, most recently the 2012 general elections.