Newswise — Domestic issues maybe at the forefront of Sunday's (July 2) presidential elections in Mexico, but a Purdue University expert says international issues - especially those involving the United States - will influence the ballots more than people may realize.
"It's not surprising how little attention the U.S. immigration conflict has received in the Mexican campaigns," says James McCann, associate professor of political science. "Mexicans, just like voters anywhere, are chiefly concerned about the economy, jobs and quality of life.
"But, international factors - how America handles illegal immigrants or whether a wall is built between the countries - may play a more overt role closer to election day because they are more tied to domestic issues than some of the candidates vocalize."
McCann, who surveys Mexican citizens and expatriates about political issues, says that economic factors play a role in some of these international issues. For example, because of the low minimum wage and lack of jobs, Mexicans are leaving their country.
Another international factor is that this will be the first presidential election in which Mexican citizens have been offered dual-voting rights. It's estimated at least 4 million people in the United States are eligible to vote in Mexico's presidential race. The Mexican Federal Electoral Institute reported fewer than 60,000 expatriates have applied for absentee ballots.
McCann started surveying Mexican expatriates in Indiana earlier this year to learn if their dual citizenship affected their participation in American or Mexican politics. He recently expanded the survey to cities in Texas and California.
"This is a small number, but in a tight race anything can happen," McCann says.
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