Recent elections in Peru and Colombia have highlighted the importance of diaspora voters in Latin American elections. In Peru, Keiko Fujimori was sworn in as president after winning a close election, with votes from citizens living abroad playing a crucial role in her victory. Similarly, in Colombia, Abelardo de la Espriella won the presidential election by a margin of 250,000 votes, with the support of voters from abroad.
Diaspora Voting Trends
According to political scientist Marcela Ríos Tobar, the impact of diaspora voting is significant in countries with large diaspora populations. However, she notes that abstention rates are higher among diaspora voters, which can lessen their impact. In Peru, for example, over 300,000 people voted from abroad, with a participation rate of 27% in the June runoff election.
In contrast, Mexico has a large diaspora population, but only about 185,000 people participated in the 2024 elections. Ríos Tobar attributes this to restrictive voting mechanisms and the need for citizens to have a credential processed at a consulate. Guatemala, another country with a significant diaspora, implemented out-of-country voting for the first time in 2019, with 1,443 people voting abroad in the first round of the 2023 election.
Regulations and Participation
The regulations of each country play a significant role in determining the level of participation among diaspora voters. In Peru, voting is mandatory, even for residents abroad, and registration is automatic after a change of address. In contrast, Mexico requires citizens to have a credential previously processed at a consulate, which can be a barrier to participation.
Only three Latin American countries – Uruguay, Nicaragua, and Cuba – have not enabled voting for nationals abroad. Ríos Tobar notes that having significant communities abroad has contributed to the expansion of the right to vote, allowing citizens to maintain a connection with their country of origin.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
