The atmosphere at the American Society of Jalisco (AMSOC) was undeniably pensive November 6 as approximately 40 expatriates, Mexican nationals and dual citizens, gathered to watch the results of the U.S. midterm elections in an event hosted by Democrats Abroad.
All eyes were glued to the big- screen TV with MSNBC airing live-coverage of the “blue wave” expected to sweep the nation. The liberal crowd intermittently cheered or booed, depending on the poll or prediction. Attendees were banking on Democratic wins to propel reforms throughout the United States.
“I’m a liberal and so my priorities are liberal priorities,” said Robert Patience, a Louisiana native. “I’d like to see universal healthcare, I would like to see college education paid for, I would like to see a registration to vote as automatic as the draft used to be, and as easy.”
Those changes won’t be immediate based on the outcome. As the vibe shifted from wishful thinking to disappointment, in the end Democrats only regained control of the House of Representatives while Republicans held on to Senate and the majority of gubernatorial positions.
“I’m fairly disappointed because I was psyched up to think that there would be more of a blue wave,” said Cam Esser, who hails from Washington D.C. “I’m glad I did not get too excited but I was secretly hoping that it would happen.”
Despite frustrations over Beto O’Rourke’s defeat by Ted Cruz in Texas or accusations of voter suppression in Georgia, Florida and North Dakota, monumental achievements still transpired that not only lightened the mood but provided a sign of hope for many. Numerous female and minority candidates came out victorious, making today’s legislature the most diverse in U.S. history.
Some standouts include: New York’s Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (the youngest representative in congressional history), Kansas’ Sharice Davids and New Mexico’s Deb Haaland (the first Native American representatives), Michigan’s Rashida Tlaib and Minnesota’s Ilhan Omar (the first Muslim women representatives) and Massachusetts’ Ayanna Pressley (the first African American representative from the state).
Now Democrats Abroad members are expecting this eclectic group of progressive politicians to challenge U.S. President Donald Trump and his senatorial supporters, whether that involves pursuing the Mueller investigation or forcing the chief executive to hand over his tax records.
“I just think we needed something to knock him off his podium, knock him off his little artificial throne that he has relegated to himself, that he now thinks he is impervious to any type of challenge,” said Cam Esser. “I think that with that little bit of a change in the House, we could possibly see some new connections that will disconnect him.”
Seeing how the blue wave made a smaller splash than anticipated, Democrats Abroad is more determined than ever before to mobilize expatriates and Mexican-Americans with dual citizenship to vote from abroad.
“I have always voted - I don’t think I’ve ever missed an election in 30 years,” said Joan Hardy, a North Carolina resident who was willing to fly home simply to vote in case her absentee ballot didn’t arrive on time. “It’s just as important to me, and given the climate that we’re in right now, it’s important for everyone else.”
Bilingual Democrats Abroad volunteers have also started visiting immigration offices in Guadalajara to educate potential voters, many of whom may be uninformed about their constitutional rights or the mechanics behind voting.
“What we’ve been trying to do as a Democrats Abroad society is educate the population here, especially people who are able to vote as dual citizens,” said Clifford Esser. “We are trying to stir up interest in the Mexican community and make sure that dual citizens are aware that they could vote, and actually should, to change things.”