Thread: Mexican Expatriates in U.S. Cheer New Law Allowing Them to V

Jun 28, 2005

Mexican Expatriates in U.S. Cheer New Law Allowing Them to Vote in Mexico's Presidential Election
By Laura Wides
Associated Press Writer


LOS ANGELES (AP) - Mexican immigrants across the United States celebrated Tuesday as lawmakers in Mexico approved a bill that will allow them to vote for the first time from abroad in the country's presidential election.
Some expatriates, though, said the new system still excludes many potential voters - particularly undocumented immigrants in the United States who lack Mexico's voter registration card and are afraid to leave the country to get one.

Still, the new law represents a victory for expatriates who contribute to their families back home and have long sought more of a say in Mexican national politics. They could help sway the country's 2006 presidential election.

"This is the end of a long fight. Even though it's limited, it opens the doors to political participation for Mexicans abroad," said Gustavo Santiago, president of a Los Angeles-based coalition of Mexican-American political groups. "Now begins the second stage. It is time to get people out to vote."

In Chicago, the Mexican Consulate planned a party Tuesday night.

"It changes the way Mexican politicians do politics with Mexicans abroad," said Chicago activist Jose Luis Gutierrez.

Mexican expatriates likely will use their newfound influence to push officials back home to improve economic opportunities there.

"We want the Mexican government to open up opportunities for us to invest our money back home so we can generate jobs," Gutierrez said.

Mexico's estimated 11 million expatriates, the majority of them living in the United States, are legally allowed to vote and hold dual citizenship but have been unable to participate in federal elections because the Mexican Congress could not agree on an absentee ballot system. On Tuesday, Mexican lawmakers overwhelming agreed to establish a system for mail-in absentee ballots.

The law, however, requires voters to hold a Mexican voter registration card. Those without ID cards will be ineligible to vote in next year's election unless they return to Mexico in the coming months to get their cards.

Many expatriates said they were disappointed the Congress did not approve opening voter polls abroad.

"It's not what we had hoped for, but we're going to work as hard as we can to make this a success and get people out to vote," said Felipe Aguirre, a spokesman for the Mexico's left-leaning Democratic Revolution Party, and a founder of the federation of Oaxacans in the United States.

Mexicans in the United States will be able to request their ballots between October and January for next summer's election.

AP-ES-06-28-05 2108EDT

This story can be found at: http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGB06SDVIAE.html

Oh Swell....now they'll get to vote twice!!

Lets protest at those locations!! That would be funny.

Pro

Indeed it would Prometheus....it would be just too funny!!