MEXICO, — Mexico is poised to elect its first woman president, and that has voters excited. Mexico allows residents to vote in person in other countries.
More than 223,000 people are eligible to vote in person here in the U.S. for the next Mexican president.
Antonio Lucero and Alan Benitez are a generation apart, but both are closely watching what happens on election day, Sunday, June 2.
“The country stops, and everything stops. The only thing you are supposed to do is go to church and go to vote,” said Lucero.
Claudia Sheinbaum and Xochitl Galvez are at the top of the ticket in the top two political parties and one of them will make history this weekend.
”To see two women to have an opportunity to become president. It’s such a special moment in time. I am super excited, “ said Lucero.
Alan is voting for the first time.
“It’s a call to action saying although we left our country we still like our voice and still like to be heard,” said Benetiz.
In Mexican elections residents living in the U.S. can vote by mail, electronically or in person at a Mexican Consulate even adult children of Mexican nationals who are born in the U.S are allowed to vote.
“If you have parents who are of Mexican origin, and they have their citizenship or they are immigrants from over there. You have that birth right,” said Benetiz.
Mexican officials are expecting a record-breaking turnout.
”It’s always been ingrained since we were little that you have to be active and knowledgeable, and you have to participate,” said Lucero.
Both Alan and Antonio say this election with two women at the top shows that Mexico is changing and progressing.
”It really says a lot about our people and about where we are in the world and as a country,” said Benetiz.
“And it’s a message for a country that is moving forward that is leaving its past and looking for the future,” said Lucero.