Mexican election: Tucsonans help make the call

Using power of the vote to make change
GABRIELA RICO
Published: 06.30.2006

Never mind the immigration rights rallies earlier this year.

This weekend, you're going to see some serious activism.

As Mexico prepares for the election of its next president Sunday, its citizens in Tucson and other cities throughout the United States will weigh in.

It is the first election in which Mexico's expatriates are allowed to vote by mail and the second in which they are allowed to vote at all.

Tucsonans Pedro, Teo, Florencio, "Chumel," Lupita and Manuel will have their say.

Jesus "Chumel" Gomez, 59, is still undecided on whom he will support when he returns to Hermosillo, Son., on Sunday to vote.

But his message to his countrymen in the United States is most definitely emphatic.

"Stop marching and protesting in the United States," said Gomez, a housekeeper with dual citizenship. "Don't send money back to Mexico for one day. And then vote."

That would get Mexico's attention.