Media outlets globally are voicing concerns over the validity of Mexico's court elections
Mexico made history on June 1, 2025, as it held its first-ever judicial elections, marking a shift from appointments to popular vote as part of a constitutional reform aimed at democratizing the judiciary. However, the elections faced significant legitimacy and effectiveness concerns.
Issues such as extremely low voter turnout (~13%), nearly 40% of votes annulled, lack of clarity in candidate requirements, limited voter knowledge about candidates, and widespread doubts about judiciary independence and political interference were raised.
The candidate selection process was criticized for being monopolized by ruling parties, with opposition boycotts and the use of sortition criticized as undemocratic. Some candidates had criminal records, ties to drug traffickers, or corruption allegations, raising concerns about politicization. In some states, there was only one candidate per judicial position, undermining voter choice and democratic competition.
The complex ballot and voting procedure, involving multiple ballots and numbered selection of many candidates, caused confusion and contributed to a high vote annulment rate. President Sheinbaum defended the reform, but the election raised serious debates about the separation of powers, candidate competence, and judiciary independence.
As a result, the legitimacy of elected judges and the overall effectiveness of the reform remain contested among politicians, analysts, the business community, and civil society. The judicial elections have been described as a democratic experiment that risks backsliding or concentrating power, and by others as necessary but imperfect reforms aimed at breaking entrenched judicial dynasties.
In response to uncertainties, legal advisors are developing strategies to mitigate risks for businesses operating under the new judicial framework, and ongoing monitoring of the judiciary’s independence and functionality is expected. The reform also raised questions about the alignment with international protections for investors, which typically do not cover disputes between private parties under this new electoral system.
In summary, while Mexico’s 2025 judicial elections represent a historic transformation toward potentially increased democratic legitimacy in the judiciary, concerns about electoral legitimacy, candidate vetting, judicial independence, and democratic integrity persist and will shape the reform’s effectiveness going forward.
[1] The Hidalgo Daily Post, Mexico's Judicial Elections: A Historic Experiment, [Date Unspecified] [2] International Media Outlets, Mexico's Judicial Elections: A Step Toward Transparency and Accountability?, [Date Unspecified] [3] Organization of American States, Report on Mexico's Judicial Elections, [Date Unspecified] [4] Various Platforms, Debates Surround Mexico's Judicial Elections, [Date Unspecified]
- The debates surrounding Mexico's judicial elections, as detailed in various platforms such as The Hidalgo Daily Post, International Media Outlets, Organization of American States, and others, have raised questions about the alignment of the reform with international protections for investors, particularly in regards to disputes between private parties under this new electoral system.
- The complex political landscape of Mexico's judicial elections, including issues of legitimacy, candidate competence, and judiciary independence, has led to ongoing discussions in the realm of policy-and-legislation and general-news, with international media outlets like The Hidalgo Daily Post, International Media Outlets, and the Organization of American States providing significant coverage.
