United States

Our Work
In 2020, The Carter Center began applying its international election observation expertise domestically, focusing on transparency and democratic norms.

Our approach includes:

• Deploying nonpartisan observers to key states and counties
• Monitoring election processes and audits
• Building grassroots observation networks
• Providing objective information to voters

This year, we plan to carry out nonpartisan activities to support election integrity, including nonpartisan election observation, in Georgia, New Mexico, Nevada, Michigan, and Montana. The Carter Center will also host civic education events and offer resources for voters and election officials across the country.

Lasting Impacts
By creating networks of citizen observers and providing factual information about election processes, we’ve supported election integrity, helped increase the transparency of electoral processes, and strengthen public confidence in democratic institutions.

In 2021, we launched our first Democracy Resilience Networks, cross-partisan statewide organizations that combat polarization, strengthen democracy, and prevent political violence by elevating trusted local voices from the right and the left who are united by their commitment to democratic ideals and peaceful political dialogue.

We currently support active networks in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, and Wisconsin — and have plans to expand to additional states. Network members use traditional and social media to address misinformation and reduce tensions surrounding issues that could lead to violence.

This work brings together nearly 5000 members from across the political spectrum to strengthen social cohesion, build trust in elections, facilitate community violence prevention, and build response capacity.

In our home state of Georgia, we also supported the creation of the Faith Forward Network, an offshoot of the Democracy Resilience Network made up of multifaith leaders dedicated to healing political divisions in their communities.

Often, people call the police for help with situations that involve someone struggling with issues related to extreme poverty, mental health, or substance abuse. In many cases, what those individuals really need are connections to social services.

Instead of becoming trapped in a cycle of arrest and incarceration, people could get the help they need to turn their lives around.

Our approach includes:

• Partnering with Atlanta’s Policing Alternatives and Diversion Initiative, known as PAD, a local nonprofit funded by the city to provide solutions outside the legal system.
• Working to increase awareness and use of alternative response services, like PAD via outreach campaigns and a data dashboard embedded on PAD’s website.
• Connecting with other cities and counties to share lessons learned so that more communities can respond to individuals in crisis with compassion instead of arrest.

This project is a collaboration between the Center’s Rule of Law Program and the Rosalynn Carter Mental Health and Caregiver Program.

The Protecting Civic Space (PCS) initiative seeks to organize and support civil society actors — especially those from the legal community — who are stepping up to defend democracy and the rule of law in the United States.

We provide support for these champions in several ways:

• Facilitate international learning exchanges for pro-democracy actors with others who’ve faced similar challenges overseas
• Bring pro-democracy organizations together to share lessons, build solidarity, and conduct activities to boost community involvement

Throughout our work, we apply the knowledge that collective action may be the single most critical tool Americans have for bolstering democracy against current patterns of decline.

The Carter Center’s Human Rights Program regularly hosts the Human Rights Defenders Forum, which includes U.S. as well as international activists.

Our approach includes:

• Convening and building networks of human rights defenders
• Facilitating dialogue between domestic and international activists
• Providing a platform for human rights advocacy

Lasting Impacts
The Human Rights Defenders Forum has created connections between U.S. and international activists, strengthening the global human rights movement.

The forum has led to collaborative initiatives and increased awareness of human rights issues both domestically and internationally.

Through its groundbreaking Inform Women, Transform Lives campaign, The Carter Center partners with city leaders worldwide to raise awareness about women’s right to access information and to help cities reach women with valuable information about essential municipal services. 

Access to this information empowers women, enabling them to participate in public life, utilize public services, and make more informed decisions for themselves, their families, and their communities. In the United States, this project has collaborated with the cities of Tulsa, Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.

Our Work
The Carter Center has observed elections in multiple Native American nations, including Cherokee Nation (1999 and 2011), Cheyenne/Arapaho Tribes (2017), and Muscogee (Creek) Nation 2019.

In addition, we’ve conducted studies and held meetings on barriers that many Native Americans face in voting in U.S. elections and put forth recommendations for breaking down those barriers.

Lasting Impacts
Our observation efforts have consistently found that tribal elections are conducted professionally and inclusively. 

The Carter Center’s presence has supported the integrity of tribal democratic processes and provided recommendations for continued improvements, including voter registry updates.

Our Work
The Rosalynn Carter Mental Health and Caregiving Program works to ensure access to behavioral health services in Georgia and nationally, with a special focus on vulnerable populations.

Our approach includes:

• Pushing for the implementation and enforcement of mental health parity laws
• Improving access to school-based behavioral health services in the state of Georgia
• Increasing access to care for older adults with mental illness
• Providing guidance through the Mental Health Task Force

Lasting Impacts
Our advocacy helped secure the unanimous passage of Georgia’s 2022 Mental Health Parity Act, which requires that insurance coverage for behavioral health equals that for physical health. This landmark legislation serves as a model for other states. Our work continues to break down barriers to care, particularly for children, older adults, and underserved communities.

Our Work
Since 1996, the Carter Center has worked to facilitate more accurate and balanced media coverage of mental illnesses through the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism.

Our approach includes:

• Training and supporting journalists to improve mental health reporting
• Building a network of over 250 fellowship alumni
• Partnering with media organizations
• Creating resources for accurate mental health coverage

Lasting Impacts
Our journalism fellows have produced award-winning books, newspaper articles, and radio and video documentaries covering topics such as mental health care for the homeless, suicide, and aging and mental health. Their work has significantly improved public understanding of mental health issues and reduced stigma against people living with mental health problems.

Our Work
The Center brings together health leaders and national organizations to discuss important issues facing the mental health care system.

Our approach includes:

• Hosting the annual Rosalynn Carter Georgia Mental Health Forum
• Facilitating dialogue on pressing mental health issues
• Connecting stakeholders across sectors

Lasting Impacts
These gatherings have shaped mental health policy at both state and national levels for over three decades. 

By convening experts, policymakers, and advocates, we’ve driven reforms in crisis care, integration of behavioral and physical health, and workforce development. 

Together, we’re creating lasting infrastructure for improved mental health services across the country.

On July 1, 2025, The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers (RCI) formally merged with the Carter Center’s Mental Health Program to form the Rosalynn Carter Mental Health and Caregiver Program. This merger offers new opportunities to find synergies between the two programs and expand their impact.

Building on the strong foundation established by RCI, our programs connect U.S. caregivers to essential services and resources, raise awareness of their vital roles, and advocate for policies that strengthen support for all who provide care.