2004 Press Releases

Visitors at the exhibit entitled "Vote for Me!" at the National Library of Turkmenistan.

American Embassy Marks U.S. Election Day

Live television and Internet coverage of the U.S. Presidential Elections from the Sheraton Grand Turkmen Hotel.

Nov. 2, 2004

Today, November 2, 2004, marks Election Day in the United States. To celebrate, the U.S. Embassy in Turkmenistan will host activities throughout the country. The Embassy launched a two-week photo exhibit entitled "Vote for Me!" at the National Library of Turkmenistan on November 1. On display until November 12, the exhibit features photographs and videos about the U.S. Elections process. Photographs depict candidates and campaigns, major contenders of the 2004 Presidential Elections, and the U.S. electoral process in action. During the first two days of the exhibit, the Embassy will conduct a mock U.S. Election, which will give locals an opportunity to cast their ballot for the next U.S. President.

On November 3, the Embassy will provide live television and Internet coverage of the U.S. Presidential Elections from the Sheraton Grand Turkmen Hotel in Ashgabat. Coverage begins the morning of November 3 at 7:00 a.m. and will last through 1:00 p.m. Television sets will broadcast U.S. and international media networks as polling stations in the United States close and vote counts and predictions are at their height. Computer stations will also be available for guests to read online accounts of Election Day events. U.S. Embassy representatives will provide visitors with their analyses as the election process unfolds and moves into its final phases, and will explain important facts about the U.S. Election system. The outcome of the local mock U.S. Elections, held at the National Library from November 1-2, will also be announced.

On November 4, Embassy representatives will offer post-election analyses, along with taped coverage of important Elections 2004 events at the National Library. Similar U.S. Election events will take place throughout the country at Embassy-sponsored American Corners.

"Representative democracy is a distinguishing feature of the United States. It also goes without saying that democratic development is a primary U.S. goal for the entire world, including Turkmenistan," U.S. Ambassador to Turkmenistan Tracey Ann Jacobson said, addressing visitors at the photo exhibition. "We hope that our U.S. elections program will encourage you to explore that feature which makes our country thrive."

Elections are the high point of American democracy as they embody the right of American citizens to choose representatives and leaders who will carry out the will of the American people. U.S. Elections take place every two years, in even numbered years, on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, when Americans vote for local, state, and national officials. Presidential elections take place every four years.