Voting in Guatemala
People adopted from Guatemala are Guatemalan citizens by birth. This means we are eligible to vote in Guatemalan elections. The Guatemalan government allows citizens abroad in the United States to vote in elections. We believe that it is important to provide adoptees with the necessary information to register to vote and take part in Guatemalan society. In order to register to vote you must be 18 or older and have a DPI. If you do not have a DPI we have included steps to obtain one. Guatemalan Adoptees are dual citizens of Guatemala and our adoptive countries.
Voting in Guatemala is organized the Tribunal Supremo Electoral (Supreme Electoral Tribunal). The deadline to register is February 28th, 2023. Guatemalan Presidential elections are done by a two-round system. The first round of voting will occur on June 25th, 2023, if no candidate receives a 50% majority then the top two candidates who received the most votes will go into a run-off, with the second round of voting on August 20th, 2023.
Adoptees with Guatemalan Roots does not endorse or support any candidate or political party in Guatemala. We are a non-partisan organization who advocates on behalf of people adopted from Guatemala. People adopted from Guatemala have the right to vote as Guatemalan citizens and we aim to educate adoptees on how to participate in our civic duty.
Instructions on how to Register to Vote
Step 1: Obtain a DPI
In order to obtain a DPI you will need to visit a Guatemalan consulate in the US or a RENAP (National Register of Persons) location in Guatemala. Instructions are available on the RENAP website. You will need to bring a birth certificate to the appointment. The list of consulates that also have RENAP locations where you can get a birth certificate are here. You can also get a birth certificate from a RENAP location in Guatemala.
Step 2: Create Account with TSE
To register to vote you will need to create and account with Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE). You will need to use your CUI number that is on your DPI and upload photos of your DPI as part of the registration process.
Step 3: Vote on June 25th
The voting locations in the United States will be announced by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) in the first or second week of January 2023.
Frequent Q&A
Q: Does voting in Guatemalan elections affect my US citizenship?
A: No it does not, dual citizens are allowed to vote in foreign elections.
Q: How long does it take to get a DPI?
A: Typically, it takes 3 months to obtain a DPI, some consulates in the US can get you a DPI the same day or in a matter of weeks if they have a DPI machine at the location.
Additional Questions
If you have any additional questions please reach out to us at [email protected].