Mexico City, June 1, 2025 — In a historic and unprecedented move, Mexico has become the first country in the world to hold nationwide judicial elections in which citizens directly elect members of the judiciary through a public ballot. The vote, which took place Sunday, is the centerpiece of a sweeping judicial reform package led by President Claudia Sheinbaum and her Morena party.
The reform marks a radical departure from traditional practices where judicial officials are nominated and appointed through a system of checks and balances involving the executive and legislative branches. Under the new system, Mexican voters had the opportunity to select judges for the Supreme Court, appellate courts, and other federal tribunals—positions that were previously filled by legal professionals through internal vetting procedures.
President Sheinbaum, who succeeded Andrés Manuel López Obrador and has continued his populist agenda, praised the reform as a milestone for Mexican democracy. “For too long, our justice system has been out of the reach of the people. This election returns power to citizens and ensures that the judiciary reflects the will of the nation,” she said during a press briefing in Mexico City.
However, the move has triggered a wave of criticism from legal experts and international human rights organizations. Groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch argue that subjecting judges to electoral politics undermines the independence of the judiciary and opens the door to populism, intimidation, and politicized decision-making.
“The judiciary must be impartial and free from political influence. Turning judges into candidates makes them vulnerable to political pressure and special interests, especially in a country where corruption and organized crime remain serious challenges,” said Juanita Rojas, a legal analyst with Mexico’s National Human Rights Network.
Critics have also raised concerns over the lack of transparency in the candidate selection process, noting that many of the judicial candidates had limited public profiles and were affiliated with political movements aligned with Morena. Opposition leaders allege that the reform is an effort to consolidate power and weaken checks on the executive branch.
In response, President Sheinbaum dismissed the allegations as unfounded and insisted the elections represent a democratic innovation. “Change always brings resistance,” she said. “But the people understand that democracy is not just about electing presidents or lawmakers—it is also about deciding who interprets our laws.”
Initial voter turnout appeared to be moderate, with early figures suggesting participation between 45 and 55 percent. Electoral officials noted no major disruptions, though several civil society monitors reported voter confusion and inadequate information about candidates’ qualifications.
The world will be watching closely in the months ahead as the newly elected judges begin their terms. Whether Mexico’s bold experiment will serve as a model or a cautionary tale for other democracies remains to be seen.