The electoral legal framework is complex and diverse. There are few nationwide requirements for procedural uniformity and detailed rules are found only at the state and sub-state level. Some states have amended laws to facilitate voter registration, early voting, and voting rights of ex-prisoners, partially addressing prior ODIHR recommendations. However, fundamental deficiencies remain in law, particularly in respect of disenfranchisement of citizens on various grounds. Lack of agreement in Congress to adopt a new formula to enforce a key aspect of the 1965 Voting Rights Act diminishes its effectiveness in safeguarding against discrimination on racial or linguistic grounds. A wide range of electoral litigation is ongoing, potentially causing uncertainty for voters and electoral stakeholders.

Elections are administered at state level with duties often delegated to some 10,500 jurisdictions across the country. Election officials were competent, operating transparently and in accordance with rules and established deadlines. While stakeholders overall had confidence in the administration of elections, chief election officials of some states were candidates in the elections they supervised, potentially leading to conflicts of interest and raising questions about the independence of the administration. The bipartisan Election Assistance Commission (EAC) provided valuable support to election officials, but further support from Congress is necessary to maintain its long-term role. States and jurisdictions continued to provide a range of voter information materials, including in minority languages and accessible formats.

Federal and state authorities launched a number of robust initiatives to help secure election technologies, including from cyber-threats. Following the designation of elections as critical infrastructure, a sector- specific agency was established to share information and good practice to prevent and respond to attacks. The EAC expeditiously disbursed USD 380 million that Congress allocated to replace outdated voting machines, strengthen existing computer and network infrastructure, and build cybersecurity capacity. However, more investment is needed to replace aging voting equipment and to maintain security. There were no public reports of verified cyber attacks on election infrastructure prior to election day. Despite advancements, challenges remain in respect of co-ordination among federal and state bodies, security of voter registration webpages, and requirements for vendors to upgrade systems.

Legislation and practice effectively disenfranchised around 11 million otherwise eligible voters. Some 4.7 million citizens residing in the District of Columbia and in US territories lack full representation in Congress. An estimated 6.1 million persons with criminal convictions are disenfranchised, with a disproportionate impact on racial minorities. Voting rights of persons with intellectual disabilities vary across the country, and, in many states, such persons are deprived of the vote without individual assessment. These restrictions breach OSCE commitments and international standards with regard to universal and equal suffrage.

Voter registration is active and implemented at state level, with minimum conditions set by federal law. A number of states enhanced their efforts to facilitate voter registration, including online and automatic registration, and increased the sharing of state registration databases to ensure the integrity of voter registers. It is estimated that some 50 million eligible citizens were not registered for these elections, for various reasons. At the same time, some decisions and initiatives related to voter list maintenance and integrity effectively limited access to vote for some citizens.

Voter identification is a politically divisive issue. In these elections, 34 states required voters to show identification, 17 of which required photo identification. Voter identification rules in some states can present obstacles, particularly for low-income voters, racial and linguistic minorities, and Native Americans. While measures to ensure electoral integrity are important, they should be designed in a manner that does not disenfranchise eligible voters.

A total of 1,262 candidates stood in the mid-term elections, providing voters with a variety of choice. In some states, requirements for registration, including the number of supporting signatures, proved challenging for smaller parties and independent candidates. Concerns also persist about the drawing of electoral districts. While districts are generally equal in size, there are widespread concerns that redistricting is often a partisan process, resulting in a number of uncompetitive contests. In 42 House races, a Democrat or Republican ran unopposed.

Fundamental freedoms were overall respected in a campaign that engaged a high number of voters across the country. The campaign was dominated by the two main parties and marked by frequently divisive and intolerant rhetoric, including several incidents with xenophobic and anti-Semitic connotations. Concerns were raised regarding online disinformation, from domestic and foreign sources, as well as the transparency of online advertising. There were several serious security-related incidents in the final weeks of the campaign.

There were both a record number of women who ran as candidates and who were ultimately elected, although women remain underrepresented in the Congress. A number of grassroots movements raised the profile of issues related to women’s rights, promoting a diverse range of views. There was an increased number of candidates from historically underrepresented groups, including persons with disabilities, Native Americans, and openly LGBT persons.

Campaign finance rules are enforced at federal level, with few limits on donations and no limits on expenditure, including by so-called Super PACs. While financial reports were submitted and published expeditiously, some non-profit organizations are not required to disclose their reports, undermining an otherwise transparent system. These were the most expensive mid-term elections in the US, projected at USD 5.2 billion, with most spending on behalf of the two main parties.

The media is pluralistic and vibrant, offering voters a wide range of opportunities to inform themselves, but is increasingly polarized. The legal framework provides for limited regulation and few rules for broadcast media during elections. Continuous verbal attacks on journalists and news media by senior officials raised concerns over the safety of journalists and undermined the essential role of media in a democratic society. Cable TV news coverage reflected the existing polarization of political and electoral discussion. The public broadcasters offered balanced coverage of the two main parties. The repeal of “net neutrality” rules raised concerns over potentially reduced access to information.

Election observation is regulated by states. Restrictions on election day observation by international observers were in place in 12 states. While federal government departments and agencies supported and facilitated the work of the IEOM, political and electoral authorities in several states declined to meet with ODIHR LEOM observers, and in one state prevented observation altogether. Such restrictions on international election observers are not in line with OSCE commitments undertaken by the US Government. Voting was observed extensively by parties and civil society, providing oversight and transparency.

Some 35 per cent of voters are estimated to have voted early, either in person or by mail. Overseas voters could request an absentee ballot that, in some instances, could only be returned electronically, which required voters to waive the secrecy of their vote.

The use of new voting technologies (NVT) is extensive and varies considerably across the country. While there is a general trend to return to paper-based voting, voting machines without a voter-verified paper trail were used in 15 states, with 5 states relying on them exclusively. Outdated voting machines known to have serious usability issues were used in some states. Positively, in line with prior ODIHR recommendations, efforts to strengthen public confidence in the accuracy of election results were introduced, including through certification of NVT and post-election audits.

Election day was orderly and calm overall. Poll workers in polling stations observed by IEOM observers were knowledgeable, helpful and well-prepared, and polling stations visited were as a rule accessible for voters with disabilities. Prescribed procedures were generally followed, although conditions did not always ensure the secrecy of the vote. Where observed, the closing of polling stations and the transmission and tabulation of results was transparent, orderly and efficient.