As increasing numbers of foreign nationals who reside in the lakeside area have obtained Mexican citizenship, so have they earned rights to acquire federal voter identification cards entitling them to suffrage. Some local political observers are wondering if that trend might bear some weight in the upcoming public referendum on the naming of town administrators.
New heads for the government Delegacion offices in Ajijic, San Antonio Tlayacapan, Santa Cruz de la Soledad, San Nicolas de Ibarra and Atotonilquillo will be selected on the basis of a popular vote scheduled for Sunday, February 3. All voters registered in Jalisco electoral sections 446 through 475 – regardless of place of birth – will be eligible to cast ballots in their respective places of residence. Ballots boxes will be set up at the central plaza in each locality, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The official registration of prospective candidates took place between January 14 and 16. Simple requirements were limited to proof of Mexican citizenship with full civil and political rights, birth or a minimum of three years residence in the town in question, and recognized morality and integrity with no criminal record.The names of qualified candidates will be revealed Saturday, January 19, following review of requisite documentation. Listings will be posted at city hall and each Delegacion office.
Following Wednesday’s registration deadline it became clear that the most keenly fought contest will be in Ajijic, where 12 individuals seek the administrator’s post. Only five names were submitted for Santa Cruz, with six signing up for Atotonilquillo and seven each for San Antonio and San Nicolas.
One of the Ajijic candidates tells the Reporter that as many as 120 foreign surnames appear on the municipality’s voter registration rolls. Assuming that the majority of these people live in Ajijic, where the vote will be most widely split, he believes that an expat block could have a strong impact on the outcome. Another candidate expressed concern that voters of foreign extraction might lend significant financial support to opponents who may have gained their friendship.
The established campaign period is set for January 21 through 31. No restrictions have been established on campaign methods other than a ban on painting publicity on walls.
The election process will be supervised by a special commission made up by five aldermen affiliated with the different political parties represented in the local government. Carlos Soto Perez was named to serve as presiding officer, accompanied by Maria Eugenia Real Serrano, Maria de la Luz Mendoza, Amador Torres Romero and Francisco Javier Diaz Ochoa. City hall officials will be assigned to manage each of the voting stations, with each candidate permitted one representative to stand in as a poll watcher.
Ballots will be tallied immediately after the polls close. The winners will be determined by a simple majority of votes. Following verification and resolution of any disputes that may arise, the final results will be announced on February 6. The new delegados will be sworn into office on Monday, February 11.