Costa Rican ex-pat exercising the right to vote, twice
In a country where about 60 percent of the voting eligible population votes during presidential elections, approximately 40 percent votes during midterm elections and in a city where just over 25 show up for mayoral elections, Doña Carmen Castro looked extravagant and inspirational early Sunday morning.
Castro, a Costa Rican expatriate who owns voting privileges in the U.S. and her country of origin, glowed as she stepped through the Trenton Transit Center, en route to Newark where she would vote in her country’s presidential election.
A Trenton resident and U.S. citizen for almost 32 years, Castro called her chance to vote “an opportunity”, “a right”, and “privilege”.
Castro stands as a reason detractors push back against Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals known as “Dreamers.” Approximately, 800,000 residents brought to the U.S. as children, have grabbed a hold of our freedom to show what can be achieved with perseverance, hard work and determination.
These conversations about immigrants involved in the hijacking of job opportunities includes an embarrassing fact that many undocumented people work harder than those born here with papers and all rights reserved for those who take their first breaths here.
U.S. citizens remind us of that child with a room packed with toys that never receive attention. Then, a visiting child arrives and picks up that neglected toy and finds delight in the newness of the play thing as the resident child throws a tantrum.
Doña Carmen Castro and many others like her, have embraced this nation’s freedom with a joy and understanding that our nation provides a wealth of opportunity, freedom and free stuff whether it connects to libraries, parks or voting.
Imagine, voting in two presidential elections, including one that requires an early wakeup call followed by a 45-minute ride, a walk to the Best Western Hotel conference room to cast a vote, followed by a return ride to Trenton.
Castro said she wanted to add her voice and vote to what’s going on in her country of origin. Costa Ricans engage in a national debate on gay rights, including same-sex marriage.
Thirteen candidates appeared on the ballot which required one to receive 40-percent of the vote to secure the presidency.
The election crystalized on the LBGTQ issue as Fabricio Alavado, a television journalist turned religious singer gained 25 percent of the vote while Carlos Alvardao Quesada, who supports same-sex marriage, earned nearly 22-percent.
The two men will face off again in an April 1 runoff.
Expect Doña Carmen Castro to be back in the Trenton Transit Center and headed off to Newark to celebrate her dual citizenship and opportunities to have a voice and vote in the future of two countries.
L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Reach him at laparker@trentonian.com.