Americas
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) has been developing and implementing programs in the Americas region since its foundation, in 1987. Working together with government officials, electoral management bodies, and civil society organizations, our projects have achieved significant success in promoting transparency and accountability in electoral processes, as well as in increasing civic engagement and the inclusion of marginalized groups in political life. Through activities that range from the assessment of electoral operations procedures and technical assistance with tabulation of results to the organization of voter education campaigns, IFES is supporting sustainable improvements to democratic institutions throughout the Americas. It is also an important part of IFES’ mission in the region to support greater horizontal cooperation and peer-to-peer exchange among democratic institutions.
To learn more about our current projects in the region, please visit our country pages.
Current Field Offices
Current Activities
Resources
Related Experts See All IFES Experts
Regional Director, Americas
Related Content
4 Mar 2014 | Election FAQ
Colombia’s National Electoral Council has been steadily preparing for the Congressional and Andean Parliament Elections on March 9. IFES' FAQs sheds light on the electoral process.
25 Feb 2014 | News and Updates
From January 16-17, 2014, IFES participated in the Seventh General Meeting of the Association of Caribbean Electoral Organizations (ACEO) in Paramaribo, Suriname. The two-day meeting covered key...
19 Feb 2014 | News and Updates
19 Feb 2014 | News and Updates
29 Jan 2014 | Election FAQ
On February 2, Costa Rica will hold national elections to elect a new President. IFES FAQs gives insight into these elections.
29 Jan 2014 | Election FAQ
Salvadorans head to the polls on February 2, 2014. Find out more about these elections in IFES' FAQs.
15 Jan 2014 | News and Updates
Maria Luisa Charles overcame adversity to reach her professional goals. Learn how an IFES training sharpened her communications progress.
18 Dec 2013 | News and Updates
Judith Lobos, who recently worked with IFES in Honduras, shares lessons learned from over 20 years of experience in engaging youth in the political process.
5 Dec 2013 | News and Updates
A statement from International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) President and CEO Bill Sweeney on the passing of former South African President and equal rights advocate Nelson Mandela.
27 Nov 2013 | News and Updates
General elections in Honduras, held on November 24, 2013, saw a high percentage of registered voters going to the polls. Luis Arturo Sobalvarro, IFES Chief of Party in Honduras, answers some...
21 Nov 2013 | News and Updates
One of IFES’ main goals in Haiti is to increase access to the political process for persons with disabilities. Alessandra Rossi, IFES Chief of Party in Haiti, sheds light on IFES’...
15 Nov 2013 | Election FAQ
Hondurans will cast ballots in general elections on November 24, 2013, electing a new President, presidential designees, deputies to the National Congress, mayors and vice mayors, among other...
27 Sep 2013 | Multimedia
IFES marked its’ annual Charles T. Manatt Democracy Awards with a gala dinner ceremony at the Grand Hyatt Washington in Washington, D.C., on September 24. This award underscores IFES’...
25 Sep 2013 | Multimedia
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) honors the head of Mexico’s Federal Electoral Institute (IFE) with its 2013 Charles T. Manatt Democracy Award. IFE President Dr. Leonardo...
19 Sep 2013 | Multimedia
Charles T. Manatt Democracy Awards recognize the exceptional work of individuals who demonstrate a commitment to freedom and democracy. IFES presents the award annually to three individuals who...
18 Sep 2013 | News and Updates
Dr. Leonardo Valdés Zurita, President of Mexico's Federal Electoral Institue and international recipent of IFES' 2013 Charles T. Manatt Democracy Award, reflects on his legacy.
18 Sep 2013 | News and Updates
Roxana Silva, a National Electoral Council member from Ecuador, talks about fostering citizen engagement through institutions, civil society and social media.
12 Sep 2013 | Publication
A guiding principle of democracy is social and political inclusion. However, the full participation of women in public life is an ongoing issue in many countries, and Honduras is no exception,...
24 Jul 2013 | News and Updates
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) will honor the head of Mexico’s Federal Electoral Institute (IFE) with its 2013 Charles T. Manatt Democracy Award. IFE President...
20 Jun 2013 | News and Updates
In this interview, Delia Ferreira Rubio, recipient of IFES’ 2011 Joe C. Baxter Award who has devoted her career to transparency issues around the world, provides an update on integrity and...
9 Apr 2013 | Election FAQ
On April 14, with the death of former President Hugo Chávez on many minds, Venezuelans will cast their vote in a snap election for a new president. IFES' frequently asked questions (FAQs) on...
8 Apr 2013 | News and Updates
International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) President and CEO Bill Sweeney comments on the passing of former United Kingdom Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
5 Apr 2013 | Multimedia
In the wake of the Arab Spring, the international community watched as popular Islamic political parties began to take shape. The history and diversity of Islamic political parties and the role Islam...
21 Mar 2013 | Multimedia
Women continue to lack equal access, despite making up more than half of the world's population. This video shows women from every region of the globe sharing their thoughts on why it is important to...
21 Mar 2013 | News and Updates
Dr. María Eugenia Villagrán De León, President of the Supreme Elections Tribunal of Guatemala (TSE), has a history of transcending gender barriers and achieving great success. To...
19 Mar 2013 | Multimedia
After ruling Venezuela for 14 years, President Hugo Chávez’s death is leading many to wonder what comes next for the country. Will Chavismo prevail or is the population ready to move away from...
15 Mar 2013 | Survey
Results from a public opinion survey conducted by Ipsos and IFES in Venezuela in January 2013.
7 Mar 2013 | Multimedia
Today, Friday, March 8, IFES celebrates 2013 International Women’s Day. For over 25 years, IFES has worked to ensure all individuals, men and women, participate equally in the political process...
6 Mar 2013 | Multimedia
At the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), gender equality is seen as a crucial element of democracy, since democracy cannot exist if half the population does not have an equal...
26 Feb 2013 | News and Updates
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) today announced the election of U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) and former U.S. Representative Heather Ann Wilson (R-N.M.) to its board of...
4 Feb 2013 | News and Updates
As John Kerry begins his tenure as U.S. Secretary of State, we look forward to working with him in advancing democracy and individual rights so citizens around the world are empowered to have a voice...
22 Jan 2013 | Multimedia
While elections and democratic transitions are significant to a country’s advancement, some events have the potential to make not only a regional impact, but a global impact as well.
This...
18 Dec 2012 | News and Updates
Over the years, Honduras has moved forward when it comes to discrimination against women. Despite these improvements, there is still discrimination against women. It can be seen through the...
5 Dec 2012 | News and Updates
A statement by Bill Sweeney, president and CEO of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), regarding the defeat of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with...
4 Dec 2012 | News and Updates
Senator Richard Lugar, Ambassador Paula Dobriansky and Dr. Michael Pinto-Duschinsky to Step Down from IFES Board
3 Dec 2012 | Survey
Following Guatemala’s 2011 elections, IFES conducted focus groups with persons with disabilities, in-depth interviews with leaders of disabled persons organizations and a small-scale survey of...
28 Nov 2012 | Multimedia
The 2012 U.S. Election Program, held November 4-7, brought together election management officials, elected representatives, diplomats and members of the international development community from more...
27 Nov 2012 | News and Updates
On the morning of November 6, 2012 – Election Day in the United States – Peter Kelly, IFES chairman and former Democratic National Committee finance chair, and Frank Fahrenkopf, co-...
27 Nov 2012 | News and Updates
Sunday, November 25, marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) takes this opportunity to reaffirm its...
20 Nov 2012 | Multimedia
On November 18, 2012 Honduras saw the first primary elections since the 2009 coup d’état. For many citizens, the elections represented the normalization and restoration of the country...
16 Nov 2012 | Publication
On November 18, 2012, Hondurans will elect candidates from three major parties – the Liberal Party, the National Party and the Liberty and Refoundation Party – to compete in next year...
16 Nov 2012 | Publication
This primer provides an overview of all aspects of the American electoral process, from how campaigns are conducted to the mechanics of the voting process.
18 Oct 2012 | Multimedia
IFES' 20th public opinion poll surveyed citizens throughout the country on their thoughts on politics, economic issues and current events. In this video, Gavin Weise, deputy director for Europe, and...
17 Oct 2012 | Multimedia
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees all individuals the freedom to partake in their nation’s government and political processes, including elections. Yet, many individuals...
17 Oct 2012 | News and Updates
Ana Santos, senior program officer for the Americas, answers some questions about IFES’ work empowering underrepresented populations in Guatemala and Ecuador.
5 Oct 2012 | News and Updates
IFES’ 2012 Hybl Fellow Geoffrey Macdonald, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Denver, is exploring how electoral system design and party rules incentivize ethnic groups to form political...
4 Oct 2012 | Publication
Venezuela's October 7 presidential election will see President Hugo Rafael Chávez Frias – who has survived a short-lived coup d'état, general labor strikes and resilient, albeit splintered, domestic...
4 Oct 2012 | News and Updates
While with IFES, Libna Bonilla worked hand-in-hand with Maximo Zaldivar, then chief of party in Guatemala, and other team members to help Guatemala's Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) deliver the 2011...
20 Sep 2012 | News and Updates
IFES is troubled by the imminent departure of USAID from Russia. The closing of USAID's office and its support will present additional challenges for Russian citizens and organizations in the pursuit...