In a historic move, Mexico has become the first country in the world to elect all its judges—up to the Supreme Court—through a nationwide popular vote.
On Sunday, citizens headed to the polls to choose nearly 2,600 new judges and magistrates, marking a sweeping overhaul of the country’s judicial system. While some nations like the United States and Switzerland elect judges at the local or state level, Mexico has now set itself apart by conducting judicial elections on a national scale.
The vote follows a controversial reform championed by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and continued by his successor, President Claudia Sheinbaum. Both leaders argue the elections will break the hold of a corrupt and elitist judiciary and allow ordinary citizens a say in who upholds justice.
“The public isn’t stupid. If we trust voters to choose a president, why not judges?” said Supreme Court candidate Olivia Bonilla.
The ruling Morena party says the move will democratize the judiciary, stamp out corruption and nepotism, and make justice more accessible. President Sheinbaum hailed the process as a success, declaring, “Mexico is the most democratic country in the world.”
However, the bold reform hasn’t come without criticism. Legal experts and opposition figures warn that electing judges could threaten judicial independence and leave the justice system vulnerable to political pressure and influence from organized crime.
Adding to concerns, voter turnout was a mere 13%, a steep drop from the 60% participation in last year’s presidential election. Observers fear the low engagement could undermine the legitimacy of the new judicial structure.
Despite the controversy, Mexico now joins Bolivia as one of the few countries to hold national elections for judicial positions, reshaping the future of legal systems around the globe.
