Mexican Voters in Chicago Exercise Their Right to Vote in Historic Presidential Elections

Mexican voters in Chicago turned out in droves to exercise their right to vote at the Mexican Consulate in the city center. The massive turnout, characterized by long lines and complaints from voters, aimed at choosing a new leader where two of the three candidates are women, Claudia Sheinbaum and Xóchitl Gálvez, who are potential frontrunners for the country’s next presidency.

The National Institute of Elections (INE) closed the voting center at the Mexican consulate in Chicago at 7:00 pm, allowing only those who were inside waiting to vote after that time, as reported by the consulate.

Mexicans living outside their homeland were able to participate in these historic elections, potentially leading to Mexico‘s first female president.

Chicago is among the cities in the United States where Mexican nationals can exercise their right to vote in these elections.

To vote in person, Mexican residents in Chicago can go to the consulate located at 204 S Ashland Av.

The ballot boxes at the Mexican consulate will be open from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, with an additional 1500 spots available for those unregistered but with a valid voter card issued before February 25, 2024.

According to the INE, Mexicans who registered to vote in advance can do so online or in person, with registration booths set up outside, including one at the consulate of Mexico in Chicago.

It is required to have a valid voter card to vote, with the registration deadline for enrollment ending in February.

«They have to be in line to say they can enter to vote, we are making them go in blocks to the consulate so they have that opportunity to vote,» said Eduardo Puga, INE liaison with the Mexican consulate in Chicago to Telemundo Chicago reporter Priscilla Ferryra.

«When I arrive at 1,500 registrations, I will come out and say there is no way. After 7:00 pm if there are spaces available, they can still vote.»

In the general elections on June 2, the president of Mexico, 128 senate seats, seven governorships, and various local positions will be elected.

Almost 100 million Mexicans are expected to vote in these elections, the largest in the country’s history, where besides the presidency, both houses of Congress and many local positions will be renewed, as reported by AP.

Witnessing a significant moment in Mexican politics, voters in Chicago and across the United States are actively participating in shaping the future leadership of Mexico.