SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — After Mexico elected its first ever female president, Mexican citizens were able to vote in person at 23 consulates in the United States for the first time.
Despite this being the largest election in the country's history, the consulate in San Francisco closed at 5pm and many people were refused entry.
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The National Electoral Commission said it was allocated 1,500 ballots but did not have time to register everyone who was queuing outside.
On Sunday, the line stretched for several blocks around the Mexican Consulate.
Mexican voters flocked to polling stations in San Francisco.
“This is a party for Mexican democracy. We're so excited and proud that everyone is here, everyone wants change, and that's what we're here for,” said Marisa Garcia of San Francisco.
Voters traveled from across the Bay Area and waited for hours, some more than seven hours.
“We've probably been in line for two or three hours and we're already halfway there. A lot of people came at 3 a.m. and they just left,” said Adeline Gonzalez of Livermore.
This is the first year that Mexican citizens living in the United States have been able to vote at Mexican consulates in the country – previously their only options were to vote by mail or electronically.
“We've been waiting for five hours,” said Pilar Martin del Camp of San Francisco.
Tara Campbell: “Did you expect this?”
Pilar Martin del Camp: “Not five hours, but we were expecting three hours. And we'll be here for about seven hours. It's our right and our duty to our country. But seven hours is a very patriotic thing to do.”
Although there was some frustration about the wait, the majority of people felt hopeful about their homeland.
“I'm not surprised because we all know the stakes are high. This is a historic election. The lines are long but I'm just happy to be out here and see people voting,” said Varenka Lewis of Marin County.
The stakes were certainly high, as both front-runners in the presidential race were women.
“Yeah, coming in as a woman is a big thing. It's a really big thing for me,” Gonzalez said.
“woman [are] There is a lack of protection in Mexico. What types of problems do Mexican women face? [are] “The percentage of female presidents is pretty high, so it's really important to us to have a female president who supports single mothers, young people and seniors,” Lewis said.
“I think I will cry every time we vote for a woman. It means a lot culturally in Mexico. It will be a great example for women all over the world,” Garcia said.
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