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 News Around the Americas | May 2006 
Absentee Ballots Going Out to Mexicans Living Abroad
 Norma de la Vega - SD Union-Tribune
| | Miss Mexico Priscila Perales Elizondo, seen here during an interview in Mexico City, says she will use her appearance at the Miss Universe pageant in late July to challenge what she sees as prejudice against those who migrate to the United States. (AP) |
Those who registered to vote in the Mexican election have started receiving their ballot materials.
The July 2 presidential election is the first in which Mexicans living abroad will be able to vote. Nearly 41,000 Mexicans registered from 80 countries, though most are in the United States.
Mexico was ruled for 71 years by the Revolutionary Institutional Party until 2000, when Vicente Fox became the first opposition president in modern Mexican history. Analysts say this election will be closely contested between two parties: Fox's National Action Party and the Democratic Revolution Party.
In Mexico, electoral officials said 95.4 percent of those old enough to vote – about 70 million people – have registered. They worry, though, about how many will actually vote, given the low turnout seen in recent elections.
Patricio Ballados, director of Mexico's vote-abroad program, said it's important for voters to follow the instructions carefully to avoid having their ballots invalidated because of a minor error.
The packages arriving at voters' homes include a ballot and a pre-stamped envelope. But the ballot can only be returned via certified mail. If the envelope is dropped in a mailbox, it will be thrown out.
The package also contains a booklet with information on the five candidates vying for the Mexican presidency and two discs, a CD and a DVD, with presentations from the candidates.
Ballados said it's important that voters return their ballots by the end of May to ensure that they will reach election authorities in Mexico before July 1.
Norma de la Vega: (619) 293-1386; norma.delavega@enlacelink.com |
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