In 2024, for the first time, Mexican residents in Texas will be able to vote in person at one of the 20 polling stations the Latin American country has set up across the state, as well as through the usual means, in the Mexican elections scheduled for June 2.
Some 100 million Mexicans, including 12 million living abroad, are eligible to vote in the largest election Mexico has ever seen, with the presidency, over 628 congressional seats and thousands of local positions at stake.
The upcoming elections are also poised to be truly "historic" as the nation, known for its "macho" culture, is on the verge of electing its first female president. Both leading candidates in the race are women, marking a significant milestone in the country's political landscape.
The favorite in the polls is former Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, representing a coalition that includes the ruling Morena party and carries the support of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, also known as AMLO.
Following her is Senator Xochitl Galvez, a longstanding advocate for indigenous rights, running as part of the coalition "Strength and Heart for Mexico," which includes the National Action Party (PAN). She is trailed by Jorge Álvarez Máynez from the national political party ""Citizens' Movement."
This is the first year that Mexico has allowed residents living abroad to cast ballots in person, and the U.S. is the country with the most foreign voters, with over 1,541,107 eligible.
States like Texas, where Latinos make up the biggest share of the state population, is expected to be one of the more heavily contested areas. However, in order to vote, here's what you need to know:
2024 Mexico elections: who can vote abroad?
Mexicans who are 18 years old and order, have a valid voting ID and are registered to participate in the process can vote. All eligible citizens are required to have a valid voting ID, often simply called an "I.N.E." which are the initials of the National Electoral Institute, Mexico's voting authority.
2024 Mexico elections: how to vote abroad
This year, people outside the country can vote in one of three ways:
- Mail-in ballot
- Electronic voting
- In-person voting in four select countries: Canada, France, Spain and the United States
As of Feb. 8, nearly 1.5 million people were registered to vote abroad and 630,513 had the proper identification to participate in the process, according to The New York Times.
2024 Mexico elections: Where to vote in person in Texas?
There will be 20 voting stations in consulates across the country, two of them located in Texas. Here are the cities in the state where you can cast a ballot in person on June 2, according Mexico's government instructions:
- Dallas: 1210 River Bend
- Houston: 10555 Richmond Ave.
Those who have a valid credential but did not register to vote abroad or who are visiting the U.S. on the day of the election will be able to do so at the consulate. For that purpose, additional ballots will be available for the first 1,500 voters.
For more information on how to vote in each specific city, you can visit the Mexican Consulate website here.
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