Can’t vote? Next step: become a citizen

Rodrigo Vences, employee at the Honorary Consulate of Mexico in Chicago, explaining citizenship process with prospective applicant.
Rodrigo Vences, employee at the Honorary Consulate of Mexico in Chicago, explaining citizenship process with prospective applicant. Nov. 06. (Screen still from video by Katanga Johnson/MEDILL)

By Katanga Johnson

[An earlier version of this story ran election night on Medill Reports.]

As more than one hundred million Americans cast their ballots on Nov. 8, thousands of hopefuls prepared themselves for the next election. But first they need to become American citizens.

Rodrigo Vences, employee at the Honorary Consulate of Mexico in Chicago, explaining citizenship process with prospective applicant. Nov. 06. (Screen still from video by Katanga Johnson/MEDILL)