4 minutes
27 October 2026 | Brussels / Bratislava / Vienna
Election-Watch.EU and MEMO 98 have launched an International Remote Election Assessment (IREA) of the United States congressional elections scheduled for 3 November 2026. The initiative is supported by the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD). A pre-election assessment report will be published on 2 November 2026, with a final report planned after the elections.
#Why an independent assessment
The initiative follows the decision of the United States not to invite the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to observe the upcoming elections. In a joint statement on 23 September 2026, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly expressed regret over this decision, noting that these would be the first US federal elections without an invitation to the OSCE since it began observing in the country in 2002.
“Independent scrutiny matters in every democracy. In the absence of an OSCE mission, we believe the international election observation community has a responsibility to contribute an impartial, evidence-based assessment of these elections, while being clear about the scope and limitations of our work,” said Armin Rabitsch of Election-Watch.EU.
The initiative also expresses professional solidarity with election observers, election officials, and civil society colleagues working for transparent, inclusive and credible elections in the United States.
#What the assessment will cover
A team of experienced international election experts will examine significant developments since the 2024 elections, drawing on previous ODIHR findings and recommendations, applicable international commitments and US electoral legislation.
The pre-election report will present preliminary findings across key areas of electoral integrity, including:
Legal and institutional frameworks governing elections
Electoral competition and redistricting
Voter registration and electoral participation
Election administration
Campaign finance and political advertising
Media and the digital information environment
Safeguards for electoral integrity
“Our aim is to assess the context in which these elections are taking place and how it has evolved since 2024. Drawing on previous ODIHR findings and recommendations, we will examine changes in the legal and institutional framework and the wider electoral environment, and assess, to the extent possible, their implications for the conduct of the elections,” said Rasťo Kužel, Executive Director of MEMO 98.
#Independent assessment guided by international standards
The assessment will be guided by the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and its accompanying Code of Conduct, which establish internationally recognised standards of impartiality, independence, accuracy and non-interference. Election-Watch.EU has endorsed the Declaration.
The IREA is an independent, non-partisan initiative conducted remotely through documentary research, expert analysis and interviews with relevant US stakeholders across the political spectrum.
It does not involve direct observation of polling or counting. The assessment is institutionally independent of the OSCE and does not substitute for an OSCE election observation mission. Its findings will reflect the scope and limitations of the available evidence.
Reports and further information will be available on our respective websites and social media channels.
Media contacts
Armin Rabitsch – Election-Watch.EU – armin.rabitsch@election-watch.eu
Rasťo Kužel – MEMO 98 – kuzel@memo98.sk
The full press release in pdf is here
Election-Watch.EU and MEMO 98 jointly lead the assessment, with support from the European Partnership for Democracy.