Five election officials from Côte d’Ivoire recently took part in the International Visitor Leadership Program (#IVLP), an initiative designed to share knowledge on electoral processes and mechanisms to enhance transparency and accountability in elections. Through this program, the officials explored the U.S. electoral system by visiting key locations such as Washington, DC, Louisville in Kentucky, and Denver in Colorado.

During their time in Washington, DC, the delegation met with staff from the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the Federal Elections Commission, and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES). These discussions focused on the U.S. approach to managing elections and safeguarding democratic integrity.

In Louisville, Kentucky, the group had the opportunity to interact with State Supreme Court Justice Angela Bisig and State Senator Cassie Chambers Armstrong. They also observed a voting demonstration conducted by the Jefferson County Secretary of State, providing them with firsthand experience of how local voting procedures are managed.

The final leg of the program took the officials to Denver, Colorado, where they delved into advanced electoral processes such as voter registration, mail-in voting systems, and electronic voter tabulation, highlighting the technological approaches used to streamline and secure voting.

This exchange program emphasizes the importance of sharing best practices in electoral management and demonstrates the U.S.'s commitment to promoting free and fair elections worldwide. The IVLP continues to serve as a platform for international officials to gain insights and foster stronger democratic processes in their respective countries.

Sources: U.S. Embassy and IVLP partnerships