Should UN observers be asked to monitor the US elections?

[kentuck]

Have we reached that Third World status yet?

I can think of several states where it might be a good idea. The Republican Party has shown themselves capable of fraud in several instances.

Prominent Republicans have been found to have voted more than once in more than one state.

Forged signatures have been found on petitions for Republicans to get on the ballot.

They even went so far as to create "fake electors" in a presidential election.

Dead people voted. And on and on.

Maybe it is time for UN observers?

[Freddie]

1. Yes

Time for independent, outside observers. End Republican
BS with our votes.

[Demsrule86]

17. Just vote in overwhelming numbers, but please let's not give them any ammo...The American

people, in General, would hate that idea. The UN has no authority here. This is our own mess. We did this by not voting in midterms, not supporting our candidates in key elections, not spending the money to win state elections, and electing Donald Trump. There is no savior. We have to save ourselves.

[markie]

2. yes n/t

[Tickle]

3. No !

Wow I can’t believe I’m reading this

After thinking about it I guess it would force states to succeed and create their own government. I wonder how that would work? Any ideas

[AntivaxHunters]

5. Why do you think it would make states do that?

[Tickle]

7. I think that

because there are states that would never allow the federal government in never mind the UN to police them. Only an opinion nothing to link to

[AntivaxHunters]

4. Yes. Absolutely.

[Eugene]

6. International observers like OSCE are routinely present and welcome.

It's a democratic norm, and ideally leadership by example.

Trump's non-cooperation was the aberration. Despite that, international observers concluded that the 2020 election was clean, with no evidence of substantial fraud.

[Tickle]

8. Then why invite

the UN in?

[Eugene]

14. The UN is there, but it's redundant in the global north.

The U.S. is a party to the Helsinki Accords, and OSCE observes American elections, as it does throughout Eurasia. OSCE observers have been invited to observe the 2022 midterms.

Democracy is supposed to be transparent. Ideally, America shows how it's done.

[AngryOldDem]

9. Yes.

Especially since almost every instance of fraud involves a Republican.

Sadly, though, I think too many people have bought the bullshit that all elections are corrupt, so Christ Himself observing and certifying a clean vote probably wouldn’t be enough.

[global1]

10. If A Dem Made That Suggestion As A Kind Of Peace.....

offering to the Repugs saying - your Party is accusing us of cheating we'd be OK with the UN monitoring our election to assure you we are not cheating. Would you accept that as a way to run the election to illustrate that everything is on the up and up. It would be interesting to see what the Repug Party would say.

One would think they'd go for the idea.

If they balked at that suggestion - I think we'd know that they are the ones doing the cheating and don't want to be found out.

Didn't a couple of Red states build into their so-called fair election laws their own monitoring bodies. Now that makes me suspect. The fox guarding the henhouse.

On the other hand the UN would be an impartial observer.

And if they make excuses as to why the UN shouldn't be tapped to be the monitor - I got to think it's because they don't want to be found out that they are the ones doing the cheating.

I say - go for it - make the suggestion and watch their reaction.

Even if they agreed to UN monitors - I'd then be worried that they paid some ringers to make it look like Dems were doing the cheating.

I really like the idea of UN monitors for our elections especially because the Repugs are accusing the Dems as the cheaters.

It's the Repugs 'MO' to actually do what they are accusing the Dems of doing

[eShirl]

15. absolutely call their bluff

[Novara]

11. Yes, and the counting of ballots and certification afterwards as well.

[2naSalit]

12. +1

[appalachiablue]

13. +2 Yes, yes, and yes. asap

THE US IS A FLAWED DEMOCRACY

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index

[Demsrule86]

16. Absolutely not. Do you want to lose every election moving forward? And the UN has

no authority here. This sort of thing would make us LOSE.

[ck4829]

18. Exactly, we need to turn the "stolen election" idea around on Republicans

If Republicans win this November, we should say:

"How do you know you won your election fair and square, huh?"

Question their legitimacy.

Can't do that if we have UN observers.

[Demsrule86]

19. I can't understand these sort of suggestions. The UN would be a

very bad idea. I know that people don't want to hear this but we have to make changes in how we approach elections...I hear the same sort of comments I heard in other years when some on our side couldn't bother to show up for a midterm, message voted, attacked Democratic leaders, and had long lists of demands in order to vote (most of it not possible ). Voting can't be transactional. If you want to lose then push this nonsense.

I promise you it will not work and will destroy our chances. The UN has no authority over US elections...they have never stopped electoral abuse anywhere really. Party loyalty is the answer...don't vote for third parties, sit home, or even God forbid vote for Republicans. vote for every Democratic candidate in every election from dog catcher to president. And maybe lend a hand. Anyone can phonebank or help send literature. Perhaps use social media to encourage people to vote Democratic.

We are going to win elections or we won't. It is a Republic if we can keep it...and that is simply the truth...there are no shortcuts, no easy answer...just a lot of hard work and Democrats showing up every election.

[Demsrule86]

24. You have a very good point...and what others don't consider what if the UN observers

actually, help the GOP? We don't know if they could be influenced. so no.

[Eugene]

21. "we welcome the observation of U.S. elections" - US mission to the OSCE

Invitation to Observe U.S. Midterm Elections on November 8, 2022

As delivered by Political Counselor Elisabeth Rosenstock-Siller
to the Permanent Council, Vienna
April 1, 2022

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Millions of U.S. citizens will exercise their right to vote in midterm elections on November 8, 2022. We will cast our ballots for 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as 35 U.S. Senate seats, 36 state governorships, and numerous other state and local offices.

We are proud of our democratic institutions, and we welcome the observation of U.S. elections. I wish to take this opportunity before the Permanent Council to inform OSCE participating States that we have sent letters to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) inviting them to observe our elections. We also have invited ODIHR to conduct a Needs Assessment Mission to the United States in preparation for a possible OSCE election observation mission.

The United States greatly values the OSCE’s important work promoting free and fair elections throughout the OSCE region. We appreciate their candid observations and constructive suggestions. We look forward to OSCE observation of the 2022 midterm elections as an opportunity to showcase the United States’ democracy in action.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

https://osce.usmission.gov/invitation-to-observe-u-s-midterm-elections-on-november-8-2022/

With U.S. elections, outside parties are welcome to observe, but not interfere. Even local elections boards make provisions for observers. It's a democratic norm.

[Demsrule86]

23. Well I disagree...and it won't help anyway...they can observe all they want and no doubt the

GOP will use it against us but they have no authority in this country. I suggest you consider how we save ourselves...there is not going to be a savior candidate or a savior UN...it is up to us...and all this flailing around and thinking if the UN condemns our elections why then people will know and act accordingly...it won't happen. It would just turn into another GOP attack on us.

[Effete Snob]

20. And what would they accomplish?

What magic power do you believe the UN to have, which has deterred election fraud anywhere on the planet ever?

[Eugene]

25. No magic, just best practices of transparency.

Observe whether the process is free and fair. Call out bad actors for sanctions. It's not perfect, but peaceful persuasion works some of the time.

In fact, international observers also called out Trump's big lie, stating that the 2020 election was clean.

That said, the U.S. routinely welcomes international observers and has done so for the 2022 midterms.

https://osce.usmission.gov/invitation-to-observe-u-s-midterm-elections-on-november-8-2022/

[DFW]

22. Absolutely--especially in States/districts where Republican officials insist they are not needed

If Vermont or Oregon says come on up, you're welcome to stay as long as you want and inspect what you like, I doubt observers are necessary. On the other hand, if Georgia and Arizona insist that no such oversight is needed, that is where it is needed most.

[onenote]

26. Sure. Play right into the GOP narrative that there is widespread fraud

In US elections.

Jeez Louise