SPRINGDALE, Ark. — Spanish version: Para español haga clic aqui.
An international election took place worldwide on Sunday, Feb. 4, with many participating in Springdale at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center.
El Salvador held their 2024 general election on Sunday. Citizens who voted had to pick future representatives for the 60-seat Salvadoran Legislative Assembly, the vice president, and the president.
Of the 6.3 million Salvadorans who are registered to vote, it's estimated that one in four citizens live abroad. This is the first election where Salvadorans can vote abroad.
Since the Salvadoran Legislative Assembly passed the Special Law for the Exercise of Suffrage Abroad in October 2022, Salvadorans across the world have been able to participate in this year's election through the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (Tribunal Supremo Electoral) online voting system and at in-person polling stations across the U.S.
"What the Tribunal Supreme Electoral does is guarantee that every Salvadoran has this opportunity," José Roberto with Tribunal Supremo Electoral said. "And that's why there's all this logistics of the day starting in the morning."
To ensure each citizen can vote, the Election Authority of El Salvador set up 81 voting centers across the world in places like Spain, China, and here in Arkansas.
"It's a Democratic Party," Roberto said. "It's a party so that all Salvadorans can come exercise their vote and be happy that they can participate in that Constitutional right and duty of every Salvadoran."
For future elections, election officials say all you need to vote is an El Salvador passport or a national ID card of El Salvador.
Voting began in Springdale at 7 a.m. and wrapped up at 5 p.m.
The Associated Press reports incumbent Nayib Bukele is favored to win the presidency. He's popular for cracking down on the gang violence that riddled the country.
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