September 2026 AC Webinar: Nonpartisan Election Observation in the US: Lessons Learned & Looking Ahead to 2026

This event was hosted by our Ambassadors Circle.

The Carter Center has decades of experience observing elections around the world. Today, that experience is also helping inform nonpartisan election observation here in the United States.

In 2024, 2025, and 2026, observers in New Mexico and Montana looked closely at how elections were conducted, from poll worker training and ballot processing to early voting and Election Day, as well as the post-election audit process.

In this webinar, you will:

• Learn what nonpartisan election observers do and why observation matters
• Hear what observers found during the previous election cycles in New Mexico and Montana
• Explore what worked well and where there are opportunities to improve
• Look ahead to 2026 and what these lessons mean for future election observation, including for new Carter Center supported efforts in Nevada and Michigan

Speakers

Sarah Cooper
The Carter Center, Democracy Program

Carmen López
Observe New Mexico Elections

Sharon Berman
Observe New Mexico Elections

Nicole Rowsell
Montana Election Observation Initiative

Moderator

Maria Smith
Associate Director of Development, The Carter Center