Distance and disengagement kept some Latvians abroad from voting

Long distances to polling stations, travel costs and limited knowledge of Latvian politics kept some citizens living abroad from voting in the parliamentary election, LSM reported. Latvieši.com surveyed Latvians in several countries, including people who did not vote and others who cast ballots and urged fellow citizens to do the same.

In-person voting was available at 82 polling stations in 33 countries, but access varied widely, and some voters faced long journeys. Those surveyed also cited other reasons for not voting.

Rejs Gudrups said he was travelling from Spain to Mexico on election day. After arriving early in the morning, he said, he had neither the energy nor the inclination to look for a place to vote in Mexico.

Uldis Balodis, head of the social media outlet Laiva, pointed to high fuel prices and the long drives some people would need to make to reach a polling station. He also cited the limited number of polling stations.

Liene, whose name has been changed, said her main reason for not voting was her own lack of interest in political developments in Latvia. She did not want to cast a ballot for something she did not know enough about.

Valda, also using a changed name, said that after 20 years away she found it difficult to assess what politicians and parties had done or whether they had earned her vote.