Low Voter Turnout in Mexico's Judicial Election Raises Alarm

Mexico’s recent judicial election witnessed a staggering lack of participation, raising serious concerns about the democratic integrity of the new judicial system.

In a significant shake-up of its judicial system, Mexico held nationwide elections aimed at electing thousands of judges, but the event turned into a staggering disappointment with nearly 90 percent of eligible voters abstaining. Preliminary estimates from the national electoral authority indicate that only about 12.6 to 13.3 percent of voters participated in what is being dubbed one of the most poorly attended federal elections in the country since the dawn of its democracy in the early 2000s.

The alarming turnout reflects a broader confusion and indecision regarding the shift from an appointment-based judicial system to one that empowers the electorate to choose judges. Proponents of this new approach claim it enhances democracy, while detractors accuse the ruling leftist Morena party of consolidating power.

Among those who made their way to the polls, many were overwhelmed by the sheer number of candidates competing for nearly 2,700 judgeships, including pivotal positions on the Supreme Court. Observers noted that some voters relied on cheat sheets distributed by the Morena party, suggesting potential manipulation.

“It did not feel like a democratic exercise — it seemed to be a deliberate attempt to skew the vote,” commented Laurence Pantin, a judicial independence expert and director of the nonprofit organization Juicio Justo, which promotes access to justice in Mexico. Pantin and her team reported various irregularities during the voting process, such as individuals bringing printed lists of recommended candidates, multiple people entering voting booths simultaneously, and voters photographing their completed ballots, all of which may indicate vote buying.