Mexico becomes first country to elect its own Supreme Court justices
In a groundbreaking move, Mexico became the first country to allow it’s citizens to directly elect their Supreme Court justices and federal judges. This initiative, spearheaded by President Claudia Sheinbaum, marks a important shift from the previous system in which judges were appointed through a selection process involving review panels and presidential nominations. Sheinbaum has criticized the previous judiciary for corruption and nepotism, believing that electing judges can definitely help reduce criminal cartel influence. on election day, voters selected all nine Supreme Court justices along with 881 federal judges, and there was a considerable turnout reported at around 13%. The voting involved using six color-coded ballots for over 3,000 candidates, reflecting the complexity of the election process. Similar support for this electoral reform was voiced by her predecessor, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, even though concerns about potential consolidation of power under a single ruling party were raised by some commentators. A second phase of this electoral process will occur in 2027, where voters will choose the remaining half of the federal judiciary.
Mexico becomes first country to elect its own Supreme Court justices
For the first time, Mexican citizens voted for their own judges, including Supreme Court justices, in a move championed by President Claudia Sheinbaum.
The vote marked the first time that Mexico, or any country, elected all of its judges. Until now, judges in Mexico were appointed by review panels after passing several legal tests. Mexican Supreme Court justices were appointed after presidential nominations.
Sheinbaum has long called the Mexican judiciary corrupt and said it was filled with nepotism. She also said electing judges could help curb criminal cartel activity.
“Long live democracy!” Sheinbaum said after she and her husband cast their ballots in Mexico City.
The idea of electing federal judges was also supported by Sheinbaum’s predecessor, former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Some have expressed concern that voting for federal judges and Supreme Court justices could consolidate power among a ruling party.
Still, on Sunday, voters elected all nine Supreme Court justices and 881 federal judges, making up more than half of the federal judiciary. Voters in 18 states and in Mexico City also chose around 1,800 regional judges.
Each voter used six separate, color-coded ballots that listed more than 3,000 candidates. Many people who voted brought cheat sheets with information about their preferred candidate due to the lengthy ballot, according to the Los Angeles Times.
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Voter turnout hovered around 13%, according to Reuters.
In 2027, Mexican voters will choose the remaining half of the federal judiciary.
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