Some 5m adult Mexicans are thought to live in the United States. Plans to allow them to vote in presidential elections back home have circulated in the corridors of power in Mexico City for the best part of 20 years. To not much effect, it seemed-until now. On February 22nd, the lower house of Congress voted overwhelmingly to amend the federal electoral code to allow voting to take place abroad. Since every political party, as well as President Vicente Fox, backs the change, the decision provoked an outburst of euphoria and some mutual back-slapping among the normally squabbling deputies. This week came the hangover. The measure has now passed to the Senate. It is not likely to emerge from there soon. That is not because it faces opposition, but more because a host of details remain to be sorted out. So it is unlikely that the change will come into effect in time for the presidential election next year.
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