US Elections: What American election observers are anxious about?
by Stanislaw Andreychuk, leading expert, the regional coordinator of ‘Golos’ in Altai region
On 8 November, Presidential Elections are held in the United States, as well as Election to the Congress, the Senate, local elections. The coordinator of ‘Golos’ movement in Altai region Stanislaw Andreychuk is currently present in the United States. Stanislav plans to visit three polling stations on 8 November. Meanwhile, he shared his impressions on the work of citizen election observers.
There are almost no NGOs engaged in non-partisan election observation country-wide. Most of the organizations limit their activities to one state or a municipality. Their engagement and impact might vary, what is logical, since some states have traditionally voted for one party. Therefore, observers are not interested in such locations.
These organizations mainly liaise with voters and legislators rather than engage election observers. Their main task to lobby for transparency of funding or inclusiveness of voter registration.
A few days ago, I met with two non-governmental election observation organizations: Common Cause and Demos. Serious organizations. The office of Common Cause is just three minute walk from the White House. There is another big organization - Nonprofit VOTE.
The NGOs join their forces for the Election Day: they set a call center for voters and their lawyers also provide legal advice to those in need just next to the polling stations.
We talked about the problems related with voter rights. They identified several issues.
Firstly, gerrymandering – process of redrawing boundaries of electoral constituencies, this takes place once every 10 years. It is sometimes completely crazy (see the picture below). Although, the situation has become better over the past couple of decades.
Photo: Stanislaw AndreychukThe other issue is related to discrimination against minorities. In 1965, it was established by law that any election-related provisions of the southern states, where such problem was rather significant, had to be passed through the anti-discrimination filter of Department of Justice. However, in 2013, the Supreme Court overturned the decision and the situation temporarily deteriorated. The Republicans, who dominate in these states and do not get along with minorities, have tried to do everything possible to limit the rights of minority voters.
For example, they could close the polling stations in locations largely populated by minorities, so it would take more time to cast a vote, as the Election Day - on a business day. Therefore, it is a grave restraint.
Concerning such limitations, North Carolina shall be considered as an interesting case, where the black population was used to early voting, on Sunday after going to church. In this state, early voting was simply cancelled.
Whereas Texas introduced a very short list of ID to be presented for voter qualification at the polling station, thus precluding several hundred thousand citizen from voting (US did not introduce a universal identification document, some present driving license, others - student ID or military ID, etc.).
Both decisions are challenged in court, but the 2016 Elections will be still held under the current rules.
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