Americans in Mexico Face New Hurdles for November 3 Vote

American citizens residing in Mexico are navigating new obstacles as they prepare to cast ballots for the November 3 midterm elections. The federal government recently modified the standard form used for overseas voting, a change that has triggered legal disputes and logistical concerns among the estimated 91,000 voting-age U.S. citizens in the country.

The Democratic National Committee filed a lawsuit against the Department of Defense and the Office of Management and Budget regarding the form update. The new version removed a specific option that allowed voters to identify as U.S. citizens who have never lived in the United States. This category includes individuals born abroad to U.S. parents who may be eligible to vote under state laws. The DNC argues the change makes it more difficult for these voters to register and request their ballots.

In Ajijic, Jalisco, a lakeside town in western Mexico with 8,000 to 10,000 foreign residents, the process of voting from abroad remains complex. James Burns, an expatriate from Arizona, said he relied on the organization Vote From Abroad to update his registration and navigate state-specific rules. Burns noted that the group helped him understand how to obtain his ballot and comply with requirements to ensure his vote would be counted.

Postal reliability presents another barrier. Samuel McCree, a 45-year-old resident of Mexico City who moved from Salt Lake City two years ago, found sending a package to the United States expensive and unreliable. To avoid delays, McCree handed his ballot to a friend traveling to the U.S. to mail it on his behalf. He stated that participating in the political process is essential for him, even from abroad.

Bradley Narduzzi, who has voted from Mexico for 20 years, said he has never felt more uncertainty about the process. The visual artist, who is in his 50s, described the current climate as alarming. He cited political polarization and shifting election rules as factors contributing to his concern. Narduzzi also pointed to immigration policies and the role of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as major sources of tension in the community.

The November 3 elections will decide all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the Senate's 100 seats. While voter turnout among Americans abroad is historically low, with only 3.1% of eligible voters in Mexico participating in the 2022 midterms, residents are closely following issues such as trade, tariffs, and immigration enforcement. McCree, whose mother is a member of the League of Women Voters, said defending democratic institutions is a priority for him and his family.