Here's how Mexicans living abroad can vote in this year's elections

Two women will vie for Mexico's highest office in what will be a historic election later this spring.

Mexicans will elect their first female president on June 2, and they will also vote to renew all 500 deputies for the House of Representatives of Congress and the 128 members of the Senate. At the same time, 30 of the country's 32 states will hold elections — with 19,000 state and local offices up for grabs.

This is the first national election in which Mexico will allow residents living abroad to vote. More than 12 million citizens live outside the country, 97 percent of whom live in the United States, according to the Institute of Mexicans Abroad. But in order to vote, those citizens must first register before February 20.

Here's what you need to do now to vote in June.

Who can vote outside the country?

Mexicans who are 18 years or older, have a valid voting certificate and are registered to participate in the process can vote. Those who are 18 years old on Election Day can also register to vote.

To exercise their right, all eligible citizens must have a valid voting certificate, often simply called an “INE,” after the initials of the National Electoral Institute, Mexico's voting authority.

How can I get a valid voting ID?

Eligible voters can walk into consulates to request their ID without a prior appointment. The deadline for applying for an ID is February 20.

Voters must bring a valid photo ID (such as a passport or an expired voting card), a recent document proving their place of residence and showing proof of nationality (it is now possible to a valid birth certificate online.) Here is a checklist of the necessary documents.

According to Mexican authorities, the ID will be sent directly to your address within three to five weeks.

If you already have a voting ID, you can check whether it is still valid on this web page.

How can I register if I haven't done so yet?

You have to go to the government registration website and follow the instructions there. People with dual nationality are allowed to vote if they have their ID and proof of identity with them if it is stated as valid.

Can I still register if I haven't done so yet?

According to the National Electoral Institute, which has a website with instructions, February 20 is the deadline for voters abroad to register both in Spanish and English.

This year, people outside the country can vote in three ways:

As of February 8, nearly 1.5 million people were registered to vote abroad and 630,513 people had the proper identification needed to participate in the process. according to the National Electoral Institute.

Where in the United States can I vote in person?

There will be 20 polling stations in consulates across the country: Atlanta; Chicago; Dallas; Fresno, California; Houston; Los Angeles; New Brunswick, NJ; New York; Oklahoma City; Orlando, FL; Phoenix; Raleigh, North Carolina; Sacramento; San Bernardino, California; San Diego; San Francisco; San Jose, California; Santa Ana, California; Seattle; and Washington. For more information, please contact your local consulate.

What are other important dates before the elections?

Officially, candidates can start campaigning on March 1 and must be ready three days before the election.

Voters who register to vote by mail will receive their voting package along with their ballot in the first week of May. To be valid, ballots must be received by the voting authority before June 1. The postage costs are paid in advance and are included with the voting package.

Voters who register to participate online and receive permission to do so will receive an email by May 3 with a username, password and instructions for voting electronically.

There will be three presidential debates on April 7, April 28 and May 19 at 8:00 PM local time.

In-person voting will take place on June 2 at official voting sites.