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Over the past 13 years, I have served as an election observer in about 20 countries and participated in more than 30 international events focused on democracy, elections, money in politics, and related issues.
It was a pleasure to return to Washington, D.C., after 12 years and participate in the same program, which gave me a unique chance to compare many ideological changes that, to me, seemed dramatic. From November 3–6, I took part in the U.S. Election Program 2024. Thanks to the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), the U.S. Election Program, which was originally initiated during the U.S. Presidential Elections, has become one of the largest global events in the field of democracy development and election organization. This program includes a conference and election observation opportunities, usually held in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. This year, about 400 participants from more than 60 countries attended.
The conference began on the morning of November 4 in Washington D.C. and brought together a diverse group of experts, including officials, scholars, and specialists, to discuss key issues related to democracy and elections. The event featured high-level speakers and provided valuable insights into recent developments and concerns in the field of democracy, particularly focusing on the 2024 U.S. elections.
It was also fascinating to observe how partisans interact with voters outside polling stations, distributing pamphlets and attempting to influence voters as they entered. We had the opportunity to visit several polling stations to observe the election process. I was particularly interested in learning how new voter registration and voting technologies are being implemented, how election officials are trained, and the overall atmosphere at polling stations. The election process is overseen by a cooperative system of election officials and party representatives, all of whom work together to ensure transparency and integrity.
Following Election Day, there was another exciting session called “Election Debrief,” where the results were discussed, along with comparisons between the 2020 and 2024 elections.
As I mentioned, I had participated in this same program in 2012, which made me keen to compare the two experiences.
Democracy and elections now face significantly different threats compared to the past. The agenda of the conference included discussions on new challenges such as misinformation, disinformation, populism, voter apathy, the adaptation and implementation of new technologies, cybersecurity, media marginalization, the influence of money in politics, and the importance of trust in financial systems. Additionally, global narratives and expectations have shifted, as the world’s geopolitical status has changed. These shifts have impacted democracy and created new challenges that demand resilience and persistence.
There have been significant changes in U.S. presidential elections, particularly regarding voter registration methods, voting technologies, and campaign finance. The spending on campaigns has increased dramatically, from $3 billion in 2012 to $16 billion in 2024. While this may seem like an enormous sum, it is actually quite modest when put into context; for example, American consumers spent more than $20 billion over Thanksgiving weekend. This comparison puts the campaign spending into perspective.
I can’t help but compare the Obama-Romney debates in 2012, which were quite engaging, to the debates I observed this time. The debate narrative has also evolved significantly over the years.
During the 2012 conference, I was struck by the depth of knowledge about democracy in U.S. universities. That experience inspired me to pursue my studies in the U.S., and over time, I developed my English and eventually enrolled in the Master of International Development Policy (MIDP) program at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy. I am now deeply immersed in learning about the American culture of democracy and how the American people, despite their deep ideological divides, respect their democratic traditions and institutions.
However, many scholars argue that we are now living in an era where autocracy is on the rise and democratic principles are being undermined. Democracy is not something that can be installed once and used for a lifetime. It faces numerous challenges today, with democratic institutions increasingly under threat in the world. The resilience of democracy will likely be one of the key issues for future generations.
Armen Smbatyan, MIDP’25, is from Yeghegnadzor in Armenia. He is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in public administration and law. He holds a Master’s Degree in Management from the Armenian State University of Economics and a Master’s Degree in Judicial Law from the Public Administration Academy of the Republic of Armenia. Since 2011, Armen has served as the Secretary of the Central Electoral Commission of Armenia, where he oversees the Commission's activities, ensuring transparency and accountability. His career also includes roles as Deputy Head of the State Labor Inspectorate, General Manager of "National Year" SNCO, and various positions in private and international organizations. Additionally, Armen’s lectures at the Armenian State University of Economics.