By Trina Lawry, Democrats Abroad Yucatan
Even though we reside in Mexico, events in the United States can greatly influence us. The competition between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump for the powerful role of President of the United States is significant. Understanding the policy disparities between the two candidates and the political parties they represent is crucial. This year, the differences between the two presidential candidates and their parties are stark. And they will likely impact us here in Mexico.
Social Security, women’s rights, immigration, and voting rights are among the key issues that set the two parties apart. In addition, climate change policies, reducing prescription drug costs, and enhancing infrastructure for the benefit of all citizens are all in question if the Republicans win this year.
It’s your privilege to vote in the United States, with each state having its own voting regulations. Expatriates vote in the state they last resided in the U.S. Visit votefromabroad.org to register and get your ballot. For assistance with registration, visit
democratsabroad.org/VoteFromMexico
One big difference between the parties is voting rights. The Republican party wants to make voting harder by requiring Voter ID, proof of citizenship, paper ballots only and same-day voting. These last two would effectively take away your right to vote as a U.S. citizen abroad unless you go back to the U.S. to cast your ballot on election day. Democrats believe it is the right of every American to vote and want to keep voting secure but accessible. The use of early voting, mail-in ballots or electronic ballots helps people who are not in their home state, or who need to work or are otherwise unable to get to the polls.
Numerous American residents residing in Mexico rely on their social security payments for their livelihood. The Republican proposal suggests more than $1.5 trillion in Social Security reductions, such as raising the retirement age to 69 and reducing disability benefits. These changes would impact three-quarters of Americans. Conversely, Democrats aim to promote fairness by imposing taxes on the ultra-rich. Suggestions involve implementing a minimum 25% tax rate on the wealthiest 2% of individuals and increasing taxes on billion-dollar corporations to 21%.
While President, Trump installed three right wing justices on the Supreme Court who have made extreme decisions that have had a great impact. They overturned Roe V. Wade and left abortion policy to the states. Now 1 in 3 women live in a state where abortion is illegal. Vice Presidential candidate JD Vance has argued that federal and state authorities could be used to stop women from crossing state borders to have an abortion. In another ruling that goes against the American principle that no man is against the law, the court ruled that Presidents have broad immunity from prosecution setting up the possibility of an authoritarian leader.
A significant number of U.S. citizens have children or grandchildren who aspire to pursue higher education within the United States. There is a proposal from Republicans to reallocate endowments from private universities to establish a new American-themed university. This institution would prioritize teaching “American Christian” values and would not tolerate dissent or protests. The Democrats believe peaceful protest should be protected and schools should promote critical thinking.
Immigration poses a challenge that requires attention from both sides. Trump has consistently dehumanized immigrants by referring to them as vermin. Republicans are strategizing the largest deportation operation in history, which involves mobilizing the military to apprehend immigrants and detaining them in centers before deportation. On the other hand, Democrats aim to establish a path to citizenship for immigrants married to citizens and for DACA recipients (immigrant children brought to the U.S. at a young age by their parents). Despite Congress reaching a bipartisan consensus on a robust border bill, Trump’s opposition led to its failure. President Biden implemented an executive order to reduce border migration, resulting in a significant decrease in border crossings.
Most important is the difference between the parties on voting rights. The Republican party wants to make voting harder by requiring Voter ID, proof of citizenship, paper ballots only and same-day voting. These last two would effectively take away your right to vote as a U.S. citizen abroad unless you go back to the U.S. to cast your ballot on election day. Democrats believe it is the right of every American to vote and want to keep voting secure but accessible. The use of early voting, mail-in ballots or electronic ballots helps people who are not in their home state, or who need to work or are otherwise unable to get to the polls.
Social Security, women’s rights, immigration, and voting rights are among the key issues that set the two parties apart. In addition, climate change policies, reducing prescription drug costs, and enhancing infrastructure for the benefit of all citizens are all in question if the Republicans win this year.
This is the most important U.S. election in decades. Many republican states are trying to limit voting and have purged their voting roles. Go to vote.org to make sure you are registered and then to votefromabroad.org to request your ballot.