The Commission on Federal Election Reform, co-chaired by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former U.S. Secretary of State James A. Baker III, issued a report in 2005 with recommendations for best practices in U.S. election management. The Center for Democracy and Election Management supports the ongoing work of the Carter-Baker Commission as part of the Center's mission to share best practices in election management and explore the full range of democracy issues.
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Center for Democracy & Election Management
(202) 885-1527
Fax: (202) 885-1366
cdem@american.edu
CDEM Highlights
2009 Election Management Institute: Best Practices in Election Management and Observation
In December 2009, CDEM provided hands-on, practical training to improve and promote best practices in election management and observation. The program offered election practitioners the possibility to hone their electoral skills by participating in workshops offered by renowned electoral academics and experts, and visit relevant electoral institutions in the Washington, D.C., area, New York and Maryland.
CDEM Organizes Study Tour of Indonesian Presidential Election for Gulf States' Election Officials
In July 2009, CDEM organized participants from Yemen, Qatar and Bahrain to observed the election in Indonesia, as a part of the Gulf States Electoral Initiative Project funded by the State Department's Middle East Partnership Initiative. All participants received training in observation procedures, election procedures, and a general orientation. The participants met with the representatives of KIPP, the largest domestic observation network, the International Foundation for Election Systems and the Indonesian Electoral Commission.
CDEM Institute Participants Play Key Role in Kuwait Elections
Following the successful elections for Kuwaiti Parliament held on May 16, 2009, the CDEM is happy to announce that three of its election management institute participants played a key role.
Dr. Salwa al-Jassar, a participant in CDEM's winter 2007 election institute, was one of the four women to win a seat in the parliament--the first time Kuwaitis have elected women as parliament members. Mr. Dhari Aljutaili, a participant in the 2008 summer election institute, headed the public relations team for Aseel al-Awadhi, another woman candidate elected. In addition, Mr. Abdulrahman Alanjiri, a participant in the summer 2008 election institute, took fifth place in the elections and won a seat in parliament as well.
CDEM Hosts Regional Conference for Gulf Election Officials in Kuwait
In response to a need identified by election officials and election partners in the Gulf region, American University's Center for Democracy and Election Management (CDEM) convened a conference in Kuwait on February 15 and 16, 2009, to explore establishment of a regional association of Gulf election officials. Funded by the U.S. Department of State's Middle East Partnership Initiative, the conference provided an opportunity for wide-ranging discussions on regional electoral cooperation that could serve as a platform for improved professional development, networking, data sharing and promotion of electoral best practices and procedures.