MEXICO CITY — More than 18,000 individuals in Mexico have signed up online to compete for positions on the Supreme Court and federal judgeships as part of the newly implemented electoral process. However, officials announced on Monday that a random lottery will ultimately decide which candidates make it onto the ballot.
In September, the ruling party enacted a constitutional amendment mandating that all federal judges be elected, effectively replacing the previous system where legal professionals typically advanced through established ranks.
Several current court employees and their advocates have protested against these reforms, arguing they are part of a broader strategy by the ruling party to undermine the system’s checks and balances, as well as to dismantle independent regulatory authorities.
Under the new rules, those aspiring for roles on the Supreme Court or as federal judges must possess a law degree, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.2, have five years of professional experience, and secure five letters of recommendation from individuals in their community. Additionally, success in the ultimate random draw is essential.
Officials have dismissed claims that the election process is hasty or poorly managed, emphasizing that these positions often require specialized knowledge in areas such as intellectual property, organized crime, and constitutional law. “The outcomes have been remarkable,” stated Arturo Zaldivar, a senior advisor to President Claudia Sheinbaum.
Under the outlined procedure, evaluation committees will have just over a month to sift through thousands of resumes and narrow down the candidates for 881 judgeships and nine Supreme Court seats to around ten or fewer per position. Following that, 1,793 names, selected randomly from those vetted, will be placed on the ballot set for June 1.
However, some critics raise concerns that many of the individuals appearing on the ballot could be relatively unknown and may lack actual courtroom experience. “You wouldn’t choose a surgeon based on how popular they are; you select them for their expertise, skills, and knowledge,” remarked Sergio Méndez Silva, legal coordinator for the civic organization Foundation for Justice. “This principle applies equally to judges.”
As candidates are now required to campaign, there is apprehension that drug cartels or political factions might finance these campaigns to ensure favorable judges are elected.
Additionally, worries abound over the impartiality of the committees responsible for selecting candidates for the ballots, as many members have been appointed by the legislative and executive sectors dominated by the ruling Morena party.
Some opponents contend that the current judicial framework, which is plagued by nepotism, corruption, and a lack of responsibility, necessitates reform. “We need a judicial system that delivers results,” stated Martínez Garza, an academic and former leader of the human rights commission in Nuevo Leon, who has also registered for a Supreme Court position.
In Mexico, legal proceedings can extend over many years, and the ruling party has expanded the array of crimes for which bail is prohibited. This has led to a significant portion of the incarcerated population being individuals awaiting trial.