ABSTRACT

In just two decades, the number of states that have adopted external voting policies has boomed. Today, these policies, which allow emigrants to take part in home country elections from abroad, are widely found in Europe and Latin America. Looking at the cases of Italy, Mexico, and Bolivia, this book examines the motivations and consequences for states that enfranchise citizens abroad. This analysis sheds light on the impact of emigrants in home country politics, the motivations for emigrants to take part in the elections of a country where they no longer reside, and the consequences of this practice on receiving societies.

With a multi-disciplinary approach, this book will appeal to scholars and students of sociology, political science, legal studies, international relations, migration, and transnationalism.

chapter |12 pages

Introduction

chapter |18 pages

2 Understanding the Development of External Voting Rights Worldwide

The Legal, Normative, and Sociopolitical Arguments

chapter |24 pages

3 Mexico

Enfranchising Emigrants under Conditions of Democratic Transition

chapter |20 pages

4 Italy

Electoral Benefits and the Enfranchisement of Citizens Abroad

chapter |23 pages

5 Responding to the Call

The Implementation of External Voting and Voter Turnout Abroad

chapter |16 pages

6 Affinities across Borders

Emigrant Voters and the Formation of Political Opinions Abroad

chapter |16 pages

7 “Do You Hear Me Now?”

External Voting, Reserved Seats, and Emigrant Power in the Home and Host Societies

chapter |12 pages

Conclusion