OSCE/ODIHR final report says US elections competitive and professional, recommends steps to further improve process

The general elections in the United States on 6 November 2012 took place in a competitive environment and were administered professionally but further steps should be taken to bring the electoral process closer in line with OSCE commitments, concludes the final report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

The report, issued on 13 February 2013, notes that consideration should be given to providing full representation rights in Congress for citizens resident in the District of Columbia and United States territories, in line with the 1990 OSCE Copenhagen Document. Restrictions of voting rights for prisoners and ex-prisoners should be reviewed to ensure that any limitation is proportionate to the crime committed and clearly outlined in the law.

A review of existing measures to register voters is recommended, so as to ensure that all persons entitled to vote can exercise that right.

Consideration could also be given to increasing the transparency of campaign financing, the report notes, by applying donor disclosure rules to all persons, groups and entities engaged in electoral campaign activities. In addition, the formula for the composition of the Federal Election Commission could be reconsidered, so as to ensure timely and effective oversight of campaign finance regulations.

In line with existing United States legislation, the report recommends that Congress ensures that there is a national body with sufficient resources to provide guidance on election administration and serve as a central clearinghouse to develop good electoral practices.

The report also recommends that legislation should guarantee access in all states to international observers invited by the United States authorities, to ensure full compliance with OSCE commitments.