# OSCE election observation in the United States

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/osce-election-observation-in-the-united-states
> Updated: 2026-09-23T06:42:37.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 2.

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has indicated it will likely not observe the upcoming United States Congressional elections due to a lack of a formal invitation from the U.S. government.

Initial reports suggested that an invitation from U.S. authorities was no longer expected, marking a departure from standard practice where the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) typically monitors campaigns with long-term experts and parliamentary representatives. 

The OSCE later confirmed it had not received an invitation, noting this is the first time since the organization began observing U.S. federal elections in 2002 that it has been excluded. Pere Joan Pons, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, characterized the situation as ‘a significant departure from an established democratic practice.’ The organization stated that the absence of an invitation prevents independent analysis of the legal and regulatory frameworks governing the elections.

Recent reports confirm that the OSCE has not received an invitation for the November midterm elections. Pere Joan Pons added that this exclusion does not align with the commitments of OSCE member states. While the OSCE has previously raised concerns regarding rhetoric and disinformation in past U.S. election cycles, the White House has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the lack of an invitation.

## Claims

- The President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly stated that the decision represents a significant departure from established democratic practice. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- The OSCE has not received an invitation from the United States to observe the midterm elections in November. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The OSCE has observed twelve federal elections in the United States since 2002. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The White House has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the lack of invitation. (corroborated by 4 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-23: OSCE criticizes US for lack of invitation to midterm elections

The OSCE has criticized the US for not inviting international observers to the November midterm elections, calling the move a significant departure from established democratic practice.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/osce-reports-no-invitation-to-observe-us-midterm-elections

### 2026-09-11: OSCE election observers unlikely to attend US Congressional elections

The U.S. is unlikely to invite OSCE election observers for the upcoming Congressional elections, according to sources close to the organization's Parliamentary Assembly.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/osce-election-observers-unlikely-to-attend-us-congressional-elections

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Cite as: OSCE election observation in the United States. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/osce-election-observation-in-the-united-states