Quick Takes (v55): In the Eyes of the World, Too

I learned today that two different groups of international observers were keeping an eye on our elections. Interesting stuff - I had no idea we had invited them this time around, or  that they've observed past elections, too. 

Their findings, as reported in the Wall Street Journal,  aren't really all that unexpected. 

After the group from the Organization of American States (OAS) observed election-related activities over the course of several weeks, the out-of-towners found what most of us already knew to be true. 

A team of international observers invited by the Trump administration has issued a preliminary report giving high marks to the conduct of last week's elections - and it criticizes president Trump for making baseless allegations that the outcome resulted from systematic fraud. 

The group worked with states that allow international observers (not all states do) and did so within the confines of the various COVID-19 restrictions. They spent time in Georgia, Michigan, Iowa, Maryland and DC as part of their review. 

Again, from the preliminary report,

While the OAS Mission has not directly observed any serious irregularities that call into question the results so far, it supports the right of all contesting parties in an election, so seek redress before the competent legal authorities when they believe they have been wronged. It is critical however, that candidates act responsibly by presenting and arguing legitimate claims before the courts, not unsubstantiated or harmful speculation in the public media.

The other group, a team from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), had similar findings. Here's Michael Georg Link, who led that effort.

Baseless allegations of systematic deficiencies, notably by the incumbent president, including on election night, harm public trust in democratic institutions.

And, they also noted this:

Animosity and heated rhetoric between candidates negatively affected the focus of campaigns on policies and party platforms. The two leading presidential candidates accused each other of corruption, fraud, working for foreign interests, an inability to lead, and support for extremist groups. The incumbent president’s use of discriminatory and pejorative statements against individuals on the grounds of their gender and origin was of particular concern. The distinction between state and party activities was not always respected, as the incumbent president repeatedly used his official capacity for political advantage. On several occasions, President Trump created an impression of refusing to commit to a peaceful transfer of power, claiming that the electoral process was systematically rigged, particularly in relation to postal voting, without presenting any substantial evidence of systematic malfeasance and contradicting election officials at all levels. Such statements by an incumbent president weaken public confidence in state institutions and were perceived by many as increasing the potential for politically motivated violence after the elections. 

We know this - we all do. There's no news there, really. To me, it's both sad and gratifying, if that makes sense, that international observers see this as well. 

You can read the OAS preliminary report here. The OSCE preliminary report is here.