The election of judges and magistrates by popular vote, an unprecedented figure in Mexico, has revealed a set of technical, regulatory and institutional challenges that could compromise its legitimacy if they are not addressed before the next electoral cycle in 2027.
This week, local electoral authorities, experts and representatives of the Judicial Branch met at the National Forum on Technical-Operational Experiences of the Electoral Process of the Judicial Branch from the Local, organized by the Electoral Institute of Mexico City (IECM).
One of the main problems detected by the organizers of the judicial electoral processes was the lack of coordination and disparate criteria.
Of the country’s 32 states, 19 have already held judicial elections. A questionnaire applied by the IECM revealed structural problems:
Lack of coordination between local powers: evaluation committees operate with different criteria, without national guidance.
Limited digitization: application files are still on paper, making it difficult to verify requirements.
Insufficient training: technical personnel do not have specialized training to review judicial profiles.
One of the most critical points is the coincidence of the judicial election with the political elections. In 2024, this simultaneity generated confusion among voters, operational overload and legal tensions.
Furthermore, the absence of a uniform legal framework has allowed each entity to adapt the process to its convenience, which weakens the perception of impartiality.
Among the most notable recommendations are:
1.- Postpone the judicial election to avoid it coinciding with political elections.
2.- Digitize the files to facilitate traceability and verification.
3.- Establish national evaluation criteria that guarantee transparency and equity.
4.- Expand affirmative actions, such as early voting, voting in preventive detention and voting from abroad.
An encouraging fact: in the 2024 judicial election, almost 65% of the positions were assigned to women, thanks to affirmative measures applied by the Electoral Court. However, female underrepresentation in highly responsible positions persists.
Dear reader, the judicial election represents a historic opportunity to bring justice closer to citizens. But without a solid institutional architecture, the risk of simulation and mistrust remains latent. Until next time.
The challenge is posed: professionalize the process, legally protect it and guarantee that, in 2027, the elected justice system is also legitimate, transparent and technically impeccable.
