Welcome to the 2020 U.S. Election Program
Dear colleagues, friends and partners worldwide:
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), welcome to the 15th United States Election Program (USEP).
Since 1992, each USEP has gathered hundreds of election officials, parliamentarians and thought leaders from around the world to discuss these elections from a U.S. and comparative perspective, and share best practices.
In one sense, the USEP 2020 is no different: we have convened an incredible slate of election experts and political insiders to give you a front row seat to the U.S. elections.
But this is our first fully virtual USEP. It reflects how IFES – like all of you – has adapted to the global pandemic. IFES is innovating and forging ahead to continue to advance our shared vision of democracy for a better future.
While we may be far apart, we are not alone. We are, together, a community that strives for free and fair elections; effective and accountable governance; the safe and meaningful participation of all people; and technology and data that work to benefit elections and democracy. It is only together that we can build democracies that deliver for all.
In this spirit, we encourage you to join us online to listen, learn, discuss and debate. Connect with your colleagues in the chat function and visit our virtual exhibitors’ hall.
We are not just here to discuss problems and pitfalls, but to unite for solutions that make our elections more credible; our democracies more enduring; and our communities safer and more prosperous. And we can only do that by engaging with each other.
We are honored to welcome you to the Virtual USEP 2020, and look forward to a dynamic exchange of ideas.
Sincerely,
IFES Chairman Amb. J. Kenneth Blackwell and IFES Co-Chairman Thomas A. Devine
Published on October 27, 2020.
