Should Belizeans in the Diaspora Vote in Elections? 

It’s an election year, and the question is being asked again: Should Belizeans living abroad vote in the election? 

According to the U.S. Department of State, “The largest Belizean community outside Belize, estimated at 70,000 to upwards of 100,000, resides in the United States.”

That figure might be closer to the population in Belize, according to Tourism Minister Anthony Mahler. He said this morning on Open Your Eyes, “It’s a very difficult thing because a lot of them, jokingly saying, went through the back.”

Some of them return to Belize to vote, while others hope to have the option to vote while living abroad.

Back in 2018, PUP Caribbean Shores Area Representative Kareem Musa proposed amending the Representation of the People Act to grant Belizeans living in the diaspora the opportunity to vote in Belizean elections. Musa told reporters, “I still firmly believe that dual citizens, those living abroad in the diaspora, should have the right to vote in our elections.”

Minister Mahler has a different view. When he was asked for his thoughts on Belizeans in the Diaspora voting in Belizean elections, he said, “I think you have to live in Belize; you participate here in Belize; you have to have an address here; you have to know what your street looks like to be able to participate in that voting process.”

He said they can vote, but “they just have to come home and register and come vote.”

While it may be challenging for undocumented Belizeans abroad, those with proper documentation can look forward to making arrangements to travel back to Belize and cast their votes.