Mexico's historic judicial elections see low voter turnout

    
• Mexicans voted for judges through an election process for the first time.
• The turnout was only 13 percent, below the government's expectations.
• The reform aims to free the judiciary from drug cartel influence.

Mexico held its first-ever nationwide elections to select judges at all levels of the judiciary, including justices of the Supreme Court—a historic reform aimed at strengthening judicial independence. The initiative was designed to reduce the judiciary’s vulnerability to both executive interference and the pervasive influence of powerful drug cartels.

According to the Polish Press Agency, despite the ambitious scope of the reform, voter turnout fell well below government expectations. Only 13 percent of nearly 100 million eligible citizens cast their ballots—a figure markedly lower than the anticipated 20 percent, as highlighted by Mexico’s National Electoral Institute.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum underscored that electing judges represents a vital step toward ensuring judicial independence. The reform, she noted, is intended to shield the legal system from the pervasive influence of drug cartels, which have long undermined the country’s security and institutional stability.

Judicial elections remain a rarity on the global stage, and Mexico now stands among the few nations to adopt such a system in an effort to insulate its judiciary from criminal influence. President Claudia Sheinbaum maintains that, despite the disappointing voter turnout, the reform marks a critical turning point—one that lays the groundwork for long-term success in strengthening the rule of law.

Despite the low turnout, the Mexican government remains optimistic about the reform’s long-term impact. Many observers view the direct election of judges as a potential cornerstone for broader judicial changes—reforms that could not only reinforce the independence of the courts but also help rebuild public trust in the country’s legal system.