ACE Official Statement on the US Withdrawal from the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA)

Official Statement on the U.S. Withdrawal from International IDEA.pdf

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Statement from the ACE Board of Directors

Issued 1.09.2026

The Alliance for Competitive Elections (ACE) strongly opposes the actions of the US State Department withdrawing from the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), a step that departs from longstanding bipartisan U.S. engagement with international democratic institutions. The decision by the United States to withdraw from International IDEA is deeply concerning, not only for global democracy efforts, but for the future of democratic reform here at home.

International IDEA’s work has long focused on strengthening democratic competition, improving political party systems, and addressing structural barriers that limit meaningful voter choice. These are not abstract or foreign challenges – they are increasingly central to the U.S. democratic experience, where political competition is narrowing, public trust in elections is eroding, and voters in many communities face limited or uncompetitive choices on the ballot.

This withdrawal will directly affect US-based organizations working to strengthen democracy domestically. International IDEA has served as a critical source of comparative research, institutional analysis, and practical reform models that inform domestic work on electoral system design, party development, inclusive participation, and democratic resilience. The exchange of ideas between democracies, particularly those grappling with polarization, party entrenchment, and declining legitimacy has been essential to advancing evidence-based reform in the United States.

As federal engagement in international democracy cooperation contracts, domestic nonprofits and reform organizations are increasingly expected to fill the gap without the same level of resources, data access, or institutional support. Yet the need for this work has never been greater. The structural challenges facing U.S. democracy demand sustained investment, cross-national learning, and collaboration among reformers committed to competitive, representative political systems.

ACE’s work is grounded in the belief that democracy functions best when elections are competitive, political parties can realistically compete, and voters are offered meaningful choices. International IDEA’s research and global experience directly support this vision. The US withdrawal heightens the urgency of ACE’s mission and underscores the need for strong, well-resourced domestic organizations committed to democratic pluralism.

ACE urges US policymakers to reconsider this withdrawal and reaffirm a commitment to democratic cooperation. In the meantime, domestic democracy organizations, funders, and reform coalitions must recognize what is at stake and redouble efforts to protect, strengthen, and modernize democratic competition in the United States.

The Alliance for Competitive Elections’ mission is to strengthen democracy and expand voter choice by supporting the development, cooperation, and visibility of multiple political parties and independent political movements.