The National Association of Circuit Magistrates and District Judges of the Federal Judiciary (Jufed) requested this Monday that the government of Claudia Sheinbaum and its legislative representatives reconsider holding the judicial election, scheduled for 2027. In a statement, the Association outlined the difficulties the population faced in Mexico's first judicial election, held in 2025. It stated that this experience provided clear lessons: very few people participated, the legitimacy of the process was compromised by various issues such as accordion ballots and the backgrounds of some candidates who ran, the ballots were confusing, and the process cost billions of pesos. Additionally, citizens did not have sufficient information to decide for whom to vote. Given these difficulties that citizens navigated in the past election, the upcoming one will be held on the same day as elections for congressional seats, governorships, and local authorities, and will probably also require a decision on the recall of the President of the Republic, Jufed points out. 'Although some may deny it, this means longer and more confusing ballots, as well as the risk that the election of judges will once again be caught up in the dynamics of political parties,' the document added. It noted that this practice is costly, reflected in 'a million-dollar expense that should be focused on addressing the needs of justice, that is, corresponding to the Federal Judiciary, on opening more courts, reducing the backlog, strengthening public defenders and assistance to victims.' Furthermore, the organization of magistrates and judges emphasized the following: 'There is something extremely important that as a country we cannot overlook: no institution can be completely renewed in such a short time (two years if the 2027 judicial election is held) without seriously affecting its operation and compromising its structure.' Therefore, they requested that the pertinence of continuing this practice, which erodes the separation of powers and democratic values, be evaluated. They made an urgent and respectful call to the authorities of Mexico to act responsibly and to rethink the 2027 judicial election, putting the rights of Mexicans and the stability of the justice system first.
