However, some residents question just how democratic the election can be after such a significant portion of the population displaced. And others suggest that the leaders of the rebel territories should try acting like a state by providing basic services, such as gas and electricity, before asking people to vote for a breakaway republics in Donetsk and Luhansk.

"They want election. What elections, when there are no people left here?" said one retiree, referring to the approximately one million people who have fled or been otherwise displaced in seven months of fighting. "I will not go to vote until they pay me my pension."

It's not immediately clear what the United States is prepared to do, if anything, in reaction to the election. Which is perhaps why Samantha Power, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, took to Twitter to leave open the hope that the elections would be canceled.

Tomorrow's elections in E Ukraine—if held—would go against Ukraine’s constitution & Minsk Protocol. Only legitimate local election is Dec 7. — Samantha Power (@AmbassadorPower) November 1, 2014

US will not recognize any election in separatist areas that doesn't follow Ukrainian law & is not held with consent of Ukrainian government. — Samantha Power (@AmbassadorPower) November 1, 2014

The National Security Council echoed Power's sentiment—and went a step further, by warning Russia against using the "illegitimate" election as an excuse to enter the country or send military equipment.

US will not recognize results announced from this so-called election & we call on all members of intl community to do the same #Ukraine — @NSCPress (@NSCPress) October 31, 2014

We also caution #Russia against using any such illegitimate vote as a pretext to insert addtl troops & military equipment into #Ukraine — @NSCPress (@NSCPress) October 31, 2014

Earlier this week, President Obama congratulated Ukraine on its parliamentary elections. He also sent a warning to Russia and the separatists: "The United States will not recognize any election held in separatist-held areas that does not comport with Ukrainian law and is not held with the express consent and under the authority of the Ukrainian government."

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