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On May 28, 2025, the Inter-American Dialogue’s Mexico Program hosted the online event Navigating Mexico’s Upcoming Judicial Elections, bringing together legal and policy experts to assess the implications of Mexico’s unprecedented plan to elect more than 1,600 judicial positions—including Supreme Court justices—by popular vote. The discussion explored the potential impact of this historic reform on judicial independence, democratic governance, and U.S.-Mexico relations.
Opening remarks were delivered by Rebecca Bill Chavez, president and CEO of the Inter-American Dialogue, who emphasized the scale and significance of the June 1 vote. She underscored the stakes for institutional stability and investor confidence, particularly amid increasing scrutiny of Mexico’s legal system both domestically and abroad.
The event was moderated by Alonso Zepeda, a constitutional and electoral lawyer at BDP Litigio y Consultoría, who framed the conversation around the broader implications of electing judicial officials through democratic vote. Zepeda noted that this change marks the most sweeping transformation of Mexico’s justice system since the country’s democratic transition and raises fundamental questions about how power is distributed and checked.
Carlota Ramos, deputy division head in the Office of the President of Mexico, described the reform as a response to deep-rooted issues within the judiciary, including inefficiency, nepotism, and corruption. She argued that while the reform faces legitimate challenges, it reflects long-standing public demands for a more transparent and responsive legal system. Ramos highlighted opportunities to expand access to justice and strengthen institutional legitimacy, particularly if accompanied by improvements to court infrastructure, legal aid, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms. She emphasized that democratizing the judiciary could help rebuild public trust, improve legal predictability, and strengthen protections for investors under frameworks like the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Luis Carlos Ugalde, director of Integralia Consultores, expressed concern over the reform’s design and implementation. While he acknowledged the need for judicial reform, Ugalde warned that popular elections for judges could erode judicial independence and violate the principles of separation of powers enshrined in Mexico’s constitution. He noted that logistical challenges—such as condensed timelines, ballot complexity, and insufficient voter information—make meaningful public participation difficult. With voters expected to select up to 50 judicial candidates from hundreds of biographies, he cautioned that the process may rely more on political endorsements than informed choice, increasing the risk of politicization and external influence.
A key focus of the conversation was the potential vulnerability of judicial candidates to criminal organizations, particularly at the sub-national level. Panelists explored whether public elections could help expose and prevent corruption or inadvertently increase the risks of infiltration. While Ramos pointed to the reform’s potential to bring transparency to previously opaque appointments, Ugalde warned that exposure alone does not guarantee accountability—underscoring the need for strong oversight institutions, such as the newly created disciplinary tribunal.
The panel also addressed the reform’s relevance to U.S.-Mexico trade relations. While the reform does not directly violate the USMCA, participants acknowledged that uncertainty surrounding judicial independence and regulatory integrity could raise concerns among international investors. Ramos and Ugalde agreed that future efforts should aim to refine the reform’s scope and execution, particularly ahead of the next judicial election cycle in 2027, which will coincide with national and gubernatorial elections in Mexico.
The event concluded with a call for continued dialogue, institutional safeguards, and shared responsibility. While perspectives diverged, panelists agreed on the importance of maintaining judicial integrity as a cornerstone of Mexico’s democratic governance and a pillar of the bilateral relationship with the United States.
WATCH THE EVENT RECORDING HERE:
