Neil Simon, communications director for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and its U.S. partner, the Helsinki Commission, describes in this seven-minute interview how states can encourage the role of international elections observers, and why.

Simon can provide model state legislation drafted by the Helsinki Commission to permit international observers. New legislation can be comprehensive, or it can be as simple as inserting the phrase, “and international observers,” into existing statutes.

Legislators, legislative staff, and election administrators are especially desirable as observers abroad, and Simon can find these opportunities for people with administrative and political expertise.