Skip to main content
Accessibility
Freedom House Logo - Torch next to words Freedom House

Primary Navigation

  • Our Issues
  • Perspectives
  • Policy Recommendations
  • Explore the Map
Expanding Freedom and Democracy

Quicklinks

  • Events
  • Perspectives Blog
  • Find A Country
  • Explore The Map
  • Careers

Mega Menu

  • Our Issues
    • Authoritarian Reach
    • Technology & Democracy
    • Promoting U.S. Leadership
    • Democracies in Decline
    • Election Integrity
    • Equality & Human Rights
    • Government Accountability & Transparency
    • Strengthening Civil Society
    • Media Freedom
    • Religious Freedom
    • Freedom of Expression
    • Freedom of Assembly
    • Democracy During Pandemic
  • Programs
    • Afghanistan Human Rights Coordination Mechanism
    • Political Prisoners Initiative
    • Regional Programs
    • Emergency Assistance and Thematic Programs
  • Countries
  • Events
    • Reimagining American Democracy
  • Policy Recommendations
    • Testimony and Advocacy Letters
  • Reports
    • Freedom in the World
    • Freedom on the Net
    • Nations in Transit
    • Beijing’s Global Media Influence
    • China Media Bulletin
    • Hong Kong Media Bulletin
    • China Dissent Monitor
    • Election Watch for the Digital Age
    • Transnational Repression
    • Archives
  • Perspectives Blog
  • News Releases & Statements
  • About Us
    • History
    • Our Experts
    • Board and Leadership
    • Ways to Give
    • Financials
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
  • Manage Subscriptions
Black Lives Matter Protest "Vote" Sign

Election Integrity

Atlanta, Georgia Black Lives Matter protestors carry a "VOTE" banner. Raymond Richards / Shutterstock.com

Free and fair elections are a foundational component of political freedom. There is more to democracy than free and fair elections, but there can be no democracy without them. Constant vigilance is required to protect this foundational component of political freedom from the threats arrayed against it, which range from old-fashioned fraud on election day to media manipulation and regulatory obstacles during the campaign period. 

There is more to democracy than free and fair elections, but there can be no democracy without them. Constant vigilance is required to protect this foundational component of political freedom from the threats arrayed against it, which range from old-fashioned fraud on election day to media manipulation and regulatory obstacles during the campaign period. Freedom House works with local groups to promote voter participation, particularly by youth, and to monitor elections.

Freedom House - Election Watch for the Digital Age

NEW: Election Watch for the Digital Age

Freedom House is piloting a new research initiative to investigate the interplay between digital platforms and election integrity. Election Watch for the Digital Age equips technology companies, civil society organizations, and policymakers with a data-driven resource for evaluating the human rights impact of internet platforms on a country’s electoral process. 

Learn More
Shortly before the decisive vote on the reform of copyright in the EU Parliament, thousands in Europe protested against the project. Opponents of the reform and especially of the controversial Article 13 had announced demonstrations in about 20 countries.  Stuttgart, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany. 23 March 2019. Editorial Credit: Sebastian Gollnow/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Digital Election Interference

Shaping the flow of information on the internet is now an essential strategy of those seeking to disrupt the democratic transfer of power through elections. Major authoritarian powers like Russia and China have been implicated in cyberattacks and information warfare linked to elections in democratic states. To learn more, read the Freedom on the Net 2019 essay on Digital Election Interference. 

Learn More

News & Perspectives:

US Elections Voting

Threats to the US Midterm Elections Have Been Building for Years

Perspectives

October 13, 2022
man holding brazilian flag

Brazil’s Democracy Confronts the Looming Threat of Election Denial

Perspectives

September 22, 2022

Angola: Government Must Uphold Human Rights during Election Period

Press release

August 23, 2022

Messages left by protesters are displayed on the wall of the Hong Kong Government Complex in Admiralty, Hong Kong. Editorial Credit: Shutterstock.com.

The Struggle for Democracy in Asia Deserves Our Support

Perspectives

August 18, 2022

Belarus Protest

Belarus: Freedom House Stands with Citizens, Civil Society on Anniversary of Fraudulent Elections, Regime Crackdown

Press release

August 9, 2022

Supporters of outgoing president Donald Trump break into the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, in a bid to halt certification of the 2020 presidential election results. (Image credit: Brent Stirton/Getty Images)

United States: Trump and Allies Tried to Subvert Democratic Elections; Accountability Needed

Press release

July 22, 2022

Freedom House in the Media:

Just Security logo

In Lebanon, Elections Bring Cautious Hope – and an Uphill Battle for Reforms opens in new tab

May 12, 2022

the washington post logo

Opinion The biggest win for liberal democracy this week wasn’t France’s election opens in new tab

April 25, 2022

the washington post logo

Opinion The biggest win for liberal democracy this week wasn’t France’s election opens in new tab

April 25, 2022

Featured Experts

Adrian Shahbaz Expert Photo

Adrian Shahbaz

Vice President, Research and Analysis

adrianshahbaz

Cathryn Grothe

Cathryn Grothe

Research Analyst, Middle East & North Africa (MENA)

Cathryn_Grothe

If you would like to interview a Freedom House expert on this topic, please email [email protected].

Be the first to know what's happening.

Join the Freedom House weekly newsletter

Subscribe

Footer Main Menu

  • Our Issues
  • Countries
  • Policy Recommendations
  • Explore the Map
  • Donate
  • News & Perspectives
  • Reports
  • Events
  • About
  • Careers

Address

1850 M St. NW Floor 11
Washington, DC 20036

(202) 296-5101

General Inquiries

[email protected]

Press & Media

[email protected]

Footer Social Menu

Follow

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

Footer

  • Manage Subscriptions
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Content Permissions
  • Site Map
@2023 FreedomHouse