Mexico - June 2025
First judicial elections take place, but voter turnout is low
Mexico’s first judicial elections took place on 1 June, following constitutional amendments to overhaul the judiciary. Ballots included candidates for most federal judgeships, including all seats on the Supreme Court, Electoral Tribunal and the newly created Judicial Discipline Tribunal. Elections of local judges also took place in 19 of the 32 states, with the remaining states still working to amend their local constitutions to allow for judicial elections.
Voter turnout was approximately 13.0 per cent, and to fulfill constitutional requirements for gender parity, citizens elected five women and four men to the Supreme Court. Other federal judgeships were filled under the same principle. Mexico is the only country to elect all its judges by popular vote.
An OAS electoral observation mission noted difficulties in the preparatory process due to limited time for implementing the judicial reform and noted complaints about 'cheat sheets' promoting specific candidates distributed by some parties and local officials.
Sources: Instituto Nacional Electoral, Organization of American States, Voz y Voto, International IDEA
