Guatemalan citizens living in the USA can vote in Guatemalan presidential elections. The right to vote from abroad was first implemented in the 2019 election cycle, with continuing improvements to access and process. This page covers how to register, where to vote, election deadlines, and what diaspora voting actually accomplishes.
The TSE foreign vote program
The Tribunal Supremo Electoral (TSE) — Guatemala’s election authority — operates the Voto en el Extranjero (Foreign Vote) program for citizens registered to vote from outside the country. The program has expanded since 2019 but remains limited to presidential elections.
Eligibility
To vote from the USA:
- You must be a Guatemalan citizen (by birth or descent — Guatemalan citizenship can be retained as a dual national)
- Must have a current DPI (national ID)
- Must register with TSE through the empadronamiento exterior process
- Must vote in person at your registered US polling location on election day
You do NOT need to be a Guatemalan resident — diaspora living permanently abroad can register and vote.
What you can vote on
Currently:
- Presidential election (first round)
- Presidential election (second round / runoff) if no candidate wins majority in first round
Not eligible from abroad:
- Congressional elections (diputados al Congreso)
- Municipal elections (alcaldes, corporación municipal)
- PARLACEN elections (Parlamento Centroamericano)
There has been ongoing political discussion about expanding diaspora voting to congressional elections, but as of 2026 the scope remains limited to the presidency.
How to register (empadronamiento exterior)
Step 1: Confirm your DPI is current
You cannot register to vote from abroad without a current DPI. If your DPI is expired or lost, renew it first.
Step 2: Visit your consulate or use TSE online portal
Registration options:
At a Guatemalan consulate:
- Schedule an appointment during the registration window
- Bring current DPI and proof of US residence
- Complete the empadronamiento application
- The consulate forwards to TSE in Guatemala
Online (where available):
- TSE has periodically offered online registration through their portal
- Availability depends on election cycle
- Even online registration may require eventual consulate visit for biometric verification
Step 3: Confirm registration
After processing (typically 4-8 weeks), TSE confirms your registration and assigns your voting location at a specific US consulate. You can verify your registration on the TSE website using your DPI number.
Registration deadlines
Each election cycle has specific deadlines:
- Initial registration: typically 6-9 months before election day
- Address/location updates: typically 3-6 months before election day
- Late registration: generally not accepted — register early
For the 2027 election cycle (Guatemala’s next presidential election), registration windows will be announced in 2026. Check the TSE website (tse.org.gt) for current deadlines.
US polling locations
For previous election cycles, polling has been conducted at major Guatemalan consulates:
| City | Polling location |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | Consulate General, downtown LA |
| New York | Consulate General, Manhattan |
| Houston | Consulate General |
| Miami | Consulate General |
| Washington DC | Embassy |
| Chicago | Consulate General |
| Atlanta | Consulate General |
| San Francisco | Consulate General |
| Boston | Consulate General |
| Phoenix, Dallas, Denver, others | Selected consulates depending on registered voters |
The exact list of polling locations is finalized closer to each election based on registered voter density. TSE publishes the official list typically 2-3 months before election day.
If your nearest consulate is not a polling location for that election, you may need to travel to a designated polling consulate or register at one farther from your home.
On election day
What to bring:
- Current DPI (the polling location verifies identity against registration)
- The day-of voting is in person, secret ballot, paper ballot system
Voting hours: typically 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM local US time, matching general voting hours in Guatemala (adjusted for time zone).
What diaspora voting actually accomplishes
The diaspora vote in Guatemala has been politically significant despite relatively low turnout in absolute numbers. Key dynamics:
Turnout patterns
In the 2019 first election with diaspora voting, total registered diaspora voters numbered approximately 70,000 globally, with US-based registrations representing the majority. Actual turnout has been a fraction of registered numbers — typically 10-20% of registered diaspora actually vote.
Political weight
Despite modest turnout, the diaspora vote has political weight because:
- Diaspora demographics differ from in-Guatemala voters (often more educated, wealthier, more concentrated in certain political tendencies)
- Both major candidates campaign for diaspora support
- The diaspora vote has been close to deciding margins in some elections
- Diaspora-driven topics (remittances, dual nationality, banking from abroad) become campaign issues
Future expansion
Ongoing political discussion about expanding to congressional elections or modernizing the system (electronic voting, postal voting). No firm changes implemented as of 2026.
Practical considerations
Travel to nearest polling consulate
If your closest Guatemalan consulate is not a polling location, you’ll need to travel. Plan ahead — same-day travel from out-of-state voters to consulates has been common in past elections.
Time off work
Guatemalan election day is a Sunday in Guatemala but happens on the same calendar day in the USA. If you work Sundays, plan time off — voting in person at a consulate isn’t a quick errand.
Identification
Bring your current DPI. If your DPI has expired since registration, you may have issues — TSE generally allows recently-expired DPIs for voting but it’s better to ensure currency.
Children of diaspora
Children registered under birth certificate for US-born children are Guatemalan citizens but cannot vote until age 18, with their own DPI and TSE registration.
What this enables
Once registered:
- Active participation in Guatemalan democracy from the USA
- Recognition of dual national status (registration confirms nationality)
- Voice in policies affecting diaspora — remittance regulation, dual nationality protections, returnee programs
What’s next
If you’re not yet registered with TSE:
- Renew your DPI from USA — required first step
- Visit your local consulate during the next registration window
- Confirm your registration with TSE before the next election
For other diaspora services: