I Voted in Belize: And The Once Mysterious Purple Finger

Yesterday was Municipal Election Day in San Pedro and for the country. I voted for the first time since being sworn in as a Citizen of Belize last August. And walked away with the purple finger that I’ve always been envious of on past election days. But let me back up a bit…

Here are the rules in Belize for Municipal Elections: City and town councils dissolve on the last Sunday of February in every third year, with the election called for the first Wednesday in March in every third year.

We were headed to the poll stations in town, open from 7am to 6pm, to pick 6 town councilors and the mayor. We had received some rules/regulations from the town council. No liquor on election day is the law of the country. In the past, there have been some San Pedro-only amendments – liquor was okay at restaurants only and at hotels but this year, the law was being enforced.

No alcohol would be sold or served. I bet most countries in the world have (or still have this law) on the books. Probably even some counties in the US. Also no firearms! Both seem like reasonable rules to me.

US Citizens registered with the US Embassy in Belize also got this warning that I found a little bit strange. For a second, I thought maybe it was a warning about Super Tuesday’s voting in the USA. But no…it was about Belize’s elections. I guess they try to be overly cautious?

But it was hard to imagine what the issue would be here in San Pedro… the danger of being caught up in a celebratory parade? Yes, that can be annoying if you have somewhere to be. Or maybe they were worried about a rowdy bunch of tourists who would be angry about no rum punch? No walking or driving at night seems a bit like overkill.

I actually asked a policeman about it later that day…he said that things can get a bit rowdy or heated in Belize City or Orange Walk. Not dangerous but might be uncomfortable to visitors. Huh.

When my family visited a few years ago, they got caught up in a PUP Parade in San Pedro and even got a free t-shirt. They still sing the PUP song to this day when I visit. They loved it.

I went to vote at about 1030am and the scene was quite subdued – not as many people, flags and posters as the last election (in 2020, the municipal election and the national election were at the same time)

There were policemen and women stationed every couple hundred feet. The roads around my polling area were cordoned off and some party booths were set up.

Similar to the US, it was more “why the other party” needs to go rather than what “we” will do for you.

Unlike the US, there is pretty open talk (at least amongst voters, on social media and even with the opposing party) of “going to the pork house” after you vote. The party in power has the money and…well…

This is from the social media accounts @belizeanriceandmemes (which, I must say, is a handle I wish I thought of)

I can only tell you that I did not visit any houses after voting. And Pork House would be a great name for a bar.

I entered and A-G was further broken down into about 8 different classrooms. I found mine (Ch-D) and showed my Voters ID to first of about 8 poll workers that were sitting in the quiet room. The election worker loudly announced my name to the room.

She asked me to dip my right fingertip into the deep purple ink (up to the first knuckle), gave me a tissue and a paper ballot. I went behind a small cardboard partition, picked my 6 councilors – just Xs or checks with a pen – and my mayor. I folded the ballot in 4 as directed and dropped it in the box in the middle of the room. That’s it.

I thought I would vote with the purple finger or use it to mark my ballot when completed but the ink was only to mark me! A serious permanent ink that is almost impossible to get off for a reason. So you can not vote twice – try to vote for another person…

I had no idea that Election Dye or Ink is used in many countries for just this reason. It has silver nitrate in it so that it sticks to your cuticles and can take weeks to shed off with new skin. This Wikipedia page on the ink is super interesting to me. It was first used in Colombia in 1957.

Bleach was most effective at removal but this morning, it remains on my cuticle.

At 6pm, the polls closed and Middle Street San Pedro was closed for a bit to transport the ballot from the 2nd polling station (at the RC School) to the High School for counting.

A few hours later, Mayor Wally and his PUP Councillors were declared winners. The counting continues but it looks like a landslide.

Congratulations to Wally and his team and to all who ran. There were lots of great candidates to choose from.

Now let me get back to scrubbing my finger 🙂