Election 2016: Indonesia Officials Observe U.S. Presidential Voting Process

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — A couple of dozen Indonesia nationals and election officials found their way Tuesday morning to a little elementary school just off Franconoia Road for a glimpse at the United States voting process — specifically, the presidential election.

They took pictures, took notes and more or less took in the relatively mundane process that these things usually are: a long line of patient folks amid banners urging students to eat healthily and mind their manners.

The delegation was on hand at Bush Hill Elementary School, 5927 Westchester Street, as guests of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems.

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"They see everything first-hand, and they see and understand how we (conduct the voting) process," said Kyle Lemargie, an IFES representative accompanying the contingent. "Our real mission is to improve the way elections are run (in other countries) and show a good example right here."

The polling station chief, Kyla Lupa (aided by an interpreter) dutifully explained the registration process and answered questions about, among other things, why the process seemed so tidy.

"Maybe it's because I've been doing this a long time," she said to the group, "but this is how it's supposed to work."

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Lemargie, noting that Indonesia has upcoming February elections, added that "this is an instructional thing — nothing more than observing."

IFES was scheduled to make two more stops in Northern Virginia and one in D.C.

Photo: Patch staff