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.
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Regional Director, Americas
Related Content
15 Dec 2011 | Publication
Today, approximately half of the world’s total population — around 3 billion people — are 25 or younger. Learn more about IFES’ efforts around the world to engage the youth in the political process...
13 Dec 2011 | Publication
IFES defines electoral violence as any harm or threat of harm to any person or property involved in the election process, or the process itself, during the election period.
21 Nov 2011 | Multimedia
On 6 November, Guatemala held the runoff for its presidential election. The poll that was eventually won by Otto Pérez Perez Molina, a retired army general from the Patriotic Party (Partido...
21 Nov 2011 | News and Updates
After three years, IFES’ project in Haiti advising the Provisional Electoral Council is coming to an end. Sophie Lagueny, IFES Chief of Party in Haiti, answers some questions on life and democracy...
17 Nov 2011 | News and Updates
Delia Ferreira Rubio, an internationally recognized expert in political finance and advocate for transparency in government, will receive the 2011 Joe C. Baxter Award from the International...
8 Nov 2011 | News and Updates
On Sunday, November 6, Guatemala held the second round of its presidential election. Max Zaldivar, IFES Chief of Party in Guatemala, answered a few questions about the election.
2 Nov 2011 | Publication
These frequently asked questions (FAQs) provide insight into issues related to the upcoming election.
4 Oct 2011 | News and Updates
The Board of Directors and staff of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) are saddened by the death of The Honorable Leon J. Weil. Weil joined IFES’ Board of Directors in 1994,...
29 Sep 2011 | Multimedia
IFES' 2011 Democracy Awards Dinner was held on 15 September in Washington, D.C. The event was attended by current and former members of Congress, foreign dignitaries and international development...
19 Sep 2011 | Multimedia
Charles T. Manatt (1936-2011), Chairman of IFES’ Board of Directors from 1993 to 1999 and Chairman Emeritus thereafter, was an early supporter of the democracy building movement and instrumental in...
15 Sep 2011 | Multimedia
Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont accepts the 2011 Charles T. Manatt Democracy Award from IFES on Sept. 15.
15 Sep 2011 | Multimedia
Judge Johann Kriegler of South Africa accepts the 2011 Charles T. Manatt Democracy Award from IFES on Sept. 15.
14 Sep 2011 | Multimedia
Democracy benefits day to day life in many ways. Among others, it promotes equality, freedom of expression, and entrepreneurship. Watch this video to learn more about why democracy matters and what...
10 Aug 2011 | Publication
Only one out of every five legislators in the world is a woman, and many countries still deny women the right to cast a ballot. Learn more about IFES’ work to promote equal rights, justice and...
8 Aug 2011 | News and Updates
WASHINGTON — Two senior U.S. congressional leaders and a former justice of South Africa’s Constitutional Court are the winners of the 2011 Charles T. Manatt Democracy Awards, presented by the...
29 Jul 2011 | News and Updates
WASHINGTON — Representatives of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and the National Election Commission (NEC) of the Republic of Korea today signed a memorandum of...
27 Jul 2011 | News and Updates
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) is privileged to announce it has been granted consultative status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
23 Jul 2011 | News and Updates
The Board of Directors and staff of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) celebrate the life of former Board Chairman Charles Taylor “Chuck” Manatt, who passed away on July 22...
23 Jul 2011 | Multimedia
Manatt served as Chairman of IFES’ Board of Directors from 1993 to 1999 and was a distinct leader, with unwavering commitment to spreading democracy around the world and helping those who are less...
22 Jul 2011 | Multimedia
Washington Post Foreign Correspondent Pamela Constable and IFES President and CEO Bill Sweeney talk about Constable’s new book on Pakistan and where the country stands on its mission to be a Muslim...
14 Jul 2011 | Multimedia
Sparked by Tunisia’s recent uprising, waves of protest for democratic change have spread throughout the Middle East and North Africa.Please join the Transatlantic Policy Network and IFES for a...
8 Jul 2011 | News and Updates
On July 9, the Republic of South Sudan officially declares its independence from Sudan and becomes the world’s newest nation.
23 Jun 2011 | Multimedia
As Africa continues to move away from military and dictatorial rule, also known as “the strong man syndrome,” electoral competition in the various African countries will continue to present serious...
23 Jun 2011 | News and Updates
Election experts often move to different countries for their work. Sometimes they are lucky to return to some of their favorites, as has been the case for Staffan Darnolf, IFES Chief of Party in...
15 Jun 2011 | Publication
Although successful elections are possible without registering voters, a registration process and the production of a voter register has many significant advantages. Two major advantages are an...
14 Jun 2011 | Publication
Every year we strive to increase the impact of our work in the field so each individual’s voice can be heard through a just political process.
8 Jun 2011 | Publication
Electronic voting and counting technologies are being increasingly used by countries around the world, including India and Brazil. Other countries, however, are leaving technology behind and re-...
3 Jun 2011 | Multimedia
Lack of security is one of the most serious problems facing Latin America. Experts and pundits have assessed the issue and recommended many ways of improving safety in the region.
16 May 2011 | Publication
While electoral complaints adjudication does not often garner as much attention as the casting of ballots, it is a crucial part of the elections process.
27 Apr 2011 | News and Updates
IFES has identified seven principles that are crucial components to any complaints adjudication system. These standards, which stem from the widely recognized fundamental right to participate in...
4 Apr 2011 | Multimedia
After a close and controversial first-round presidential vote in November, on March 20 Haiti held a runoff election for its top two presidential candidates, Mirlande Manigat and Michel Martelly. As...
4 Apr 2011 | Multimedia
On March 20, Haiti held the second round of presidential and legislative elections following the close and controversial first-round presidential vote in November. As part of its technical assistance...
31 Mar 2011 | Multimedia
On March 30, IFES released Duality by Design: The Iranian Electoral System, a comprehensive overview of elections in Iran. The author, an elections scholar, and an Iran expert participated on a panel...
29 Mar 2011 | Publication
The Islamic Republic has held 29 elections since its inception in 1979. Legislative, presidential, Assembly of Experts, local council elections and referendums have provided the electorate with a...
29 Mar 2011 | News and Updates
Duality by Design: The Iranian Electoral System, the first comprehensive overview of Iran’s electoral framework, is now available from the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES).
23 Mar 2011 | Multimedia
IFES’ third-annual Photography Contest drew nearly 500 entries from professional and amateur photographers from around the world. The democracy-themed competition showcases the many ways...
23 Mar 2011 | News and Updates
Twenty-two images of popular protests, elections, political campaigns and civic action have been named winners and finalists in the 2011 Photography Contest sponsored by the International...
2 Mar 2011 | Multimedia
Over the past 25 years, we have seen an increase in the number of countries holding elections. Going through the exercise, however, does not mean the will of the people is being reflected or that...
14 Feb 2011 | Publication
Throughout the past two decades, IFES has been dedicated to providing technical elections assistance throughout the world. During this time, it has become clear that an effective resolution of...
14 Feb 2011 | Publication
This paper deals with the role of money in politics, and in particular with certain efforts by countries around the world to regulate this role. In the current world (and probably since we first...
14 Feb 2011 | Publication
Analyzing and explaining why an election is democratic, or not, has fascinated scholars for decades. Methodologies, used to measure the freeness and fairness of the electoral process, are plentiful...
22 Dec 2010 | Publication
This study attempts to understand Ukraine’s failure to achieve consolidation after the Orange Revolution by analyzing substantive, socio-economic indicators that stalled democratization. This...
15 Dec 2010 | Publication
As the topic of electoral fraud has gained prominence in the media and the international discourse, IFES is releasing a series of three white papers introducing a groundbreaking framework for...
22 Nov 2010 | Multimedia
During every U.S. congressional and presidential election since 1992, IFES has held its U.S. Election Program. The three-day event brings together diplomats, parliamentarians and election officials...
22 Nov 2010 | News and Updates
On November 28, Haiti will have the first round of presidential and parliamentary elections. These polls will determine who will be the country’s next president before the current government’s...
29 Oct 2010 | News and Updates
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) is hosting a two-day visitor’s program focusing on the U.S. elections. The program will bring together over 100 diplomats,...
12 Oct 2010 | Multimedia
Our annual staff-only photography competition profiles the many ways staff support the organization’s mission. Featured here are the winners and finalists of three contest categories under the...
4 Oct 2010 | Multimedia
Having a say in the way we are governed is a human right, yet for many around the world there are many obstacles to exercising this right. IFES is dedicated to helping societies transcend the...
29 Sep 2010 | Multimedia
On September 28, 2010, IFES presented the 2010 Manatt Democracy Awards to Rep. David Obey (D-WI), Lebanon’s Minister of the Interior and Municipalities Ziyad Baroud, and former USAID Administrator...
30 Aug 2010 | News and Updates
Representative David Obey (D-WI), former United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator M. Peter McPherson, and Lebanese Minister of Interior and Municipalities Ziad Baroud...
22 Aug 2010 | Multimedia
In August, the Instituto Federal Electoral (IFE), the Mexican elections commission, hosted a four-day conference to explore key electoral topics, including challenges in the administration and...