Colombians in Utah will be able to cast ballots Sunday in Colombia's presidential vote

SALT LAKE CITY — Colombians living in the United States still feel an affinity for their home country, and on Sunday, some at least will get a chance to vote in Colombia's presidential elections.

"Though we're far away, Colombia is our home and our vote counts even if we're at a distance," said Johanna Moreno, originally from Bogota but now living in Salt Lake City.

While the overwhelming number of Colombians voting in the presidential contest are in Colombia, some live abroad, and the Colombian government has identified 253 locations around the world where expatriates can cast ballots. Salt Lake City is one of the locations, and registered Colombians in Utah with a Colombian national identity card will be able to vote on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The polling site is in the South Building of the Salt Lake County Government Center, 2001 S. State.

A cultural group in Utah that Moreno helps run, Colombianos Unidos en Utah, is helping spread the word. "We aren't affiliated with any political party, just with people so they can vote," said Elder Jonatan Fonseca Barbosa, also involved with the group.

For Fonseca, Colombians living abroad still want their country to thrive, which is why they are interested in voting. Moreno senses strong interest in voting among Colombians in Utah.

"Basically, those of us outside Colombia always want the country to get better," Fonseca said. "Expatriate Colombians always want the best for their country."

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According to the Associated Press, 14 candidates are on the ballot to replace President Gustavo Petro, who can't run again. The top three contenders are Iván Cepeda, a senator representing Petro's party, Historical Pact; Abelardo del Espriella, running as an independent; and Paloma Valencia of the Democratic Center party. If no candidate garners more than 50% of the vote, the top two vote-getters will face off in a June 21 runoff.

Colombia is hardly the only country to permit voting by nationals living abroad.

The Mexican, Peruvian, Salvadoran, Chilean and other governments also allow it, among others, and other countries also open poll sites in Utah. The runoff in Peru's presidential elections between the top two finishers in the first round of voting on April 10 is set for June 7, and the Peruvian Consulate in Salt Lake City is organizing a polling site in the city.

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