Aztlan to Vote in Mexican Federal Elections

by
Hector Carreon
La Voz de Aztlan

Los Angeles, Alta California - 6/13/2002 - (ACN) The Mexican Congress has amended the Mexican federal electoral laws to allow Mexicans living in Aztlan and in other parts of the world to vote in federal elections starting in the year 2003. This has been a major issue for many years for Mexicans residing outside Mexico, mostly in the United States.

The issue reached critical proportions during the last presidential elections when tens of thousands of Mexicans who wanted to vote had to travel long distances to their respective states of original residence to cast their votes. For Mexicans residing in the U.S., hundreds of special voting booths were setup in major cities along the Mexican side of the US/Mexico border.

Under the new approved amendment, booths will actually be setup in Aztlan or in countries with a significant Mexican population. It is not clear whether Mexicans will be able to register and vote through the mail.

In addition, the new amendment will allow Mexicans to send elected representatives to the Mexican lower house from their respective regions in Aztlan and from countries where significant number of Mexicans reside. The number of congressmen allotted will be according to a proportional formula. Each political party will be allowed a certain number, depending on the total number of votes received compared to the total number of votes cast.

Under the new amendment, it looks like the Partido Revolucionario Democratico (PRD) would benefit the most. Most immigrants to the United States belong to this party. It has been the PRD that has promoted the issue the most.