With public concern growing over potential problems at U.S. polls in November, one way to build confidence would be to allow international observers to monitor the election. That’s what many other countries do, explains political scientist Timothy Rich, who himself has been an election observer and says their presence and monitoring can “promote faith and integrity.”

They could do the same here in the U.S., Rich writes, but most states do not welcome international observers, and some explicitly prohibit them.

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Naomi Schalit

Senior Editor, Politics + Society

International observers from Canada, India and Jamaica tour the Utah County election facilities on Nov. 6, 2018 in Provo, Utah. George Frey/Getty Images

As concerns mount over integrity of US elections, so does support for international poll monitors

Timothy Rich, Western Kentucky University

Many US states forbid foreign observers to monitor their elections, but as the 2020 presidential election nears, a poll finds broad public support for international election observers.

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