2024 rings in then next presidential election for the US, posing it’s own threat and challenges. However, the states are not the only one with major elections coming up, with India, Mexico, and Taiwan all having national elections. Why is this such a big deal?

The US is enriched by a large diaspora population from those three key countries, and with that comes many challenges in the voting system. In a media briefing on January 12th, hosted by Ethnic Media Services, a panel experts discussed the challenges that immigrants face to be counted towards their country’s elections. 

Speakers

  • Kathleen Newland, Senior Fellow and Co-Founder, Migration Policy Institute 
  • Dr. Arvind Panagariya, Professor of Indian Political Economy, Columbia University
  • Rong Xiaoqing, veteran reporter, Sing Tao Daily (New York) 
  • Dr. Diana Alarcón González, Specialist on Mexico, former chief advisor and international affairs coordinator for Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico City.
  • Dr. Rohit Chopra, Professor of Communication, College of Arts & Sciences, Santa Clara University 

Accessing the right to vote for citizens abroad in their country of origin elections poses several challenges. Diaspora populations have it even worse in accessing their right to vote in their country of origin elections. Some specific challenges include:

  1. Physical Presence Requirement: In some countries, voters are required to physically return to their country of origin in order to cast their vote, making it difficult for diaspora populations to participate in the electoral process.
  2. Lack of Information: Difficulty in finding out how to register and be registered to vote, as well as lack of outreach and information about the voting procedures, can hinder diaspora populations from exercising their voting rights.
  3. Limited Influence: Despite efforts to engage diaspora populations in voting, the actual number of overseas votes may not make a significant difference in the election outcomes, leading to a perception of limited influence.
  4. Low Registration Rates: Despite the availability of overseas voting, the number of eligible voters living abroad who actually register and vote is often low, indicating a potential challenge in mobilizing diaspora populations to participate in the electoral process.
  5. Selective Implementation: Some countries may have policies for nonresident citizens to vote, but these policies are either not implemented or are implemented very selectively, creating barriers for diaspora populations to access their voting rights.

Highlighted Elections

The Indian elections are the largest exercise of its kind globally, involving approximately 900 million voters, with an estimated 600 to 630 million expected to vote in the forthcoming election.

The elections have been held very peacefully in India, substantially due to the security arrangements that are made. Approximately 11 million election officials, including security forces, are involved in the process and are deployed to ensure security.

Election officials and security forces use various modes of transportation such as foot, road, trains, helicopters, boats, and even elephants to reach out to voters in diverse geographical locations, including remote areas.

The elections are conducted using electronic voting machines (EVMs), initially with some complaints, but these machines also provide a printed version of the vote cast to address any disputes.

Approximately 500 political parties are expected to participate in the upcoming elections, making it a truly gigantic exercise. The elections are likely to be conducted in multiple phases, which is essential for ensuring the security and smooth conduct of the electoral process.

Taiwan’s presidential elections can pose potential implications on the relationship between Taiwan, China, and the US. The leading candidate, Lighting, from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), is currently ahead in the polls, but faces opposition from Beijing due to the DPP’s support for Taiwan independence. Rong notes that the outcome of the election will not only affect Taiwan and China, but also the US and the rest of the world.

Rong also explains the formation of the DPP in 1986 and how it contributes to the current political landscape in Taiwan. The DPP’s support for Taiwan independence has made it a controversial party, with opposition from Beijing and some Taiwanese immigrants who support closer ties with China. 

Rong notes that the ruling party DPP has not allowed mail-in ballots for overseas Taiwanese voters, which has led to complaints from Taiwanese immigrants who cannot easily travel back to Taiwan to vote.

Diana shed light on the importance of Mexican diaspora, particularly in North America, and emphasizes the potential impact of their participation in Mexican elections. It highlights that there are an estimated 40 million Mexicans or potential Mexicans living in other countries, with over 11 million in the United States alone. 

Despite this significant population, there is a low participation rate in the voting system. A recent constitutional reform in Mexico that allows the children of Mexicans born abroad to be registered as Mexicans. It underscores the potential influence of the diaspora on electoral results in Mexico and encourages Mexican citizens living abroad to register and vote in the upcoming historical election in 2024.

Role of Misinformation

Dr. Rohit Chopra shared valuable perspectives on the role of misinformation in the context of the Indian diaspora’s engagement with elections. He emphasized the intertwining of fake news with the rise of social media and its potential weaponization to spread misinformation, particularly in the context of the Indian diaspora’s involvement in elections.

Dr. Chopra likely discussed the challenges posed by the blurred lines between truth and falsehood in the digital age, drawing parallels to the “Wikipedia problem” to illustrate the difficulty in discerning accurate information from false content. 

He also highlighted the global nature of misinformation trends, emphasizing how movements and fake news trends borrow from one another in a global information space, underscoring the interconnectedness of misinformation across different regions and diaspora communities. 

Additionally, Dr. Chopra may have addressed the role of big tech companies and their potential collaboration with governments, as well as their impact on the spread of misinformation, particularly in countries like India and Brazil.

The challenges we face with false information affecting voter perceptions are complex. It’s crucial to have comprehensive strategies to tackle this issue. Additionally, we should recognize and appreciate the significant contributions of diaspora communities to the host countries in terms of economy, society, and culture. 

By addressing misinformation and supporting diaspora communities, the speakers are helping us better understand the important issues at the crossroads of diaspora engagement and democratic processes.