Bartola Palomo, a Mayan Indian woman, casts her ballot February 21 during elections in Chetumal City, in the southeastern state of Quintana Roo. Two Mexican states, Hidalgo and Quintana Roo, began electing new governors today, one sure to return the world's longest ruling party to power but the other facing possible defeat that could signal a tough battle in the crucial 2000 presidential vote.

HR/ELD