Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Home Local news Low Voter Turnout, Confusion, and Disappointment Mark Mexico’s Inaugural Judicial Elections
  • Local news

Low Voter Turnout, Confusion, and Disappointment Mark Mexico’s Inaugural Judicial Elections

    Mexico's first judicial elections are marked by low turnout, confusion and disillusionment
    Up next
    1 dead in Brandon shooting, suspect at large: deputies
    Brandon Shooting Leaves 1 Dead, Suspect Still on the Run: Deputies Report
    Published on 02 June 2025
    Author
    Internewscast
    Tags
    • and,
    • Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador,
    • ARE,
    • Claudia Sheinbaum,
    • confusion,
    • disillusionment,
    • Elections,
    • Esteban Hernández,
    • first,
    • Francisco Torres de León,
    • judicial,
    • Laurence Patin,
    • LOW,
    • Manuel José Contreras,
    • marked,
    • Martha Tamayo,
    • Mexico039s,
    • Raul Bernal,
    • turnout,
    • world news
    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest

    MEXICO CITY – Mexico conducted its inaugural judicial elections on Sunday, which sparked debate and brought about confusion among voters who found the new process complicated as it aims to reshape the country’s court system.

    Polls concluded as election officials started tallying the colored ballots on Sunday night, leaving the future of Mexico’s judiciary uncertain until the official results are announced in the following days.

    The electoral authority in Mexico revealed late at night that only 13% of the nation’s 100 million eligible voters participated, a significant drop from the 60% turnout reported during the country’s presidential election the previous year.

    Nevertheless, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum called the voting “a complete success.”

    “Mexico is the most democratic country in the world,” she added.

    Experts warned of startling low turnout in the lead up to the historic elections due to the mindboggling array of unfamiliar choices and the novelty of voting for judges. Experts say those factors may throw into question the legitimacy of the election, which has faced months of fierce scrutiny.

    Sheinbaum, a member of Mexico’s ruling party, Morena, rejected the criticisms and insisted the election would only only make Mexico more democratic and root out corruption in a system that most people in the country believe is broken.

    “Whoever says that there is authoritarianism in Mexico is lying,” she said. “Mexico is a country that is only becoming more free, just and democratic because that is the will of the people.”

    While some voters said they felt pushed to vote in an election they felt would determine the fate of the country’s democracy, many more expressed a deep sense of apathy, citing disillusionment due to decades of corruption and lack of basic information about the vote.

    “I’m not interested (in voting). Parties and their messages — they come and they go. It’s all the same,” said Raul Bernal, a 50-year-old factory worker in downtown Mexico City walking is dog.

    A historic vote

    Even without the final tally, the results of the vote are set to transform Mexico’s judiciary. Morena overhauled the court system late last year, fueling protests and criticism that the reform is an attempt by those in power to seize on their political popularity to gain control of the branch of government until now out of their reach.

    “It’s an effort to control the court system, which has been a sort of thorn in the side” of those in power, said Laurence Patin, director of the legal organization Juicio Justo in Mexico. “But it’s a counter-balance, which exists in every healthy democracy.”

    Instead of judges being appointed on a system of merit and experience, Mexican voters have cast ballots to choose between some 7,700 candidates vying for more than 2,600 judicial positions.

    Mexicans head to the polls

    Some of the country’s voting centers opened with only a trickle of people and small lines forming throughout the day.

    Esteban Hernández, a 31-year-old veterinary student, said he didn’t agree with electing judges and doesn’t support Morena, but came to vote because “since there isn’t much participation, my vote will count more.”

    He had studied the candidates on a website listing their qualifications and decided to pick those who had doctorates. Other critics said they only voted for the Supreme Court and other top courts.

    Francisco Torres de León, a 62-year-old retired teacher in southern Mexico, called the process “painstaking because there are too many candidates and positions that they’re going to fill.”

    Sheinbaum’s predecessor and political mentor, former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who had pushed through the judicial reform but remained out of the public eye since leaving office last year, voted in Chiapas near his ranch.

    “I wanted to participate in this historic election,” he said. “Never in the history of our country … have the people decided and had the right to elect judges.”

    Democratic concerns

    The process has raised concerns.

    Civil society organizations like Defensorxs have raised red flags about a range of candidates running for election, including lawyers who represented some of Mexico’s most feared cartel leaders and local officials who were forced to resign from their positions due to corruption scandals.

    Also among those putting themselves forward are ex-convicts imprisoned for years for drug trafficking to the United States and a slate of candidates with ties to a religious group whose spiritual leader is behind bars in California after pleading guilty to sexually abusing minors.

    Others like Martha Tamayo, a lawyer and former congresswoman from conflict-ravaged Sinaloa, cast doubt on projections that the election could hand even more power over to criminals and criminal groups, simply because they already have a strong control over courts.

    “The influence of criminal groups already exists,” she said. “The cartels go with the judges (bribe them) whether they are elected or not.”

    ‘You have to start with something’

    The public has been plagued by confusion over a voting process that Patin warned has been hastily thrown together. Voters often have to choose from more than a hundred candidates who are not permitted to clearly voice their party affiliation or carry out widespread campaigning.

    As a result, many Mexicans said they were going into the vote blind, though others voting Sunday noted they supported the process despite the confusion.

    Mexico’s electoral authority has investigated voter guides being handed out across the country, in what critics say is a blatant move by political parties to stack the vote in their favor.

    “Political parties weren’t just going to sit with their arms crossed,” Patin said.

    While still unsure if his vote would improve access to justice for many Mexicans, 61-year-old actor Manuel José Contreras defended the election, Sheinbaum and her party. He cast his ballot with a tone of hope.

    “The reform has its problems but we needed an urgent change,” he said. “You have to start with something.”

    ___

    AP journalists in Mexico Edgar H. Clemente in Tapachula, Alba Aléman in Xalapa and Fernando Llano in Mexico City contributed to this report.

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest
    You May Also Like

    Defense Objects to Venue Change for Former Letcher County Sheriff’s Murder Trial

    LETCHER COUNTY, Ky. (WJHL) — The defense team has responded to a…
    • Internewscast
    • September 4, 2025
    Remaining mall shooting suspects face judge, youngest suspect makes public debut
    • Local news

    Mall Shooting Suspects Appear in Court, Youngest Makes First Public Appearance

    The last two suspects accused in the Oglethorpe Mall shooting incident, 20-year-old…
    • Internewscast
    • September 4, 2025
    Survivors, Democrats and some Trump allies call for release of all Epstein documents
    • Local news

    Survivors, Democrats, and Some Trump Allies Urge Full Disclosure of Epstein Documents

    IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site…
    • Internewscast
    • September 4, 2025
    Matthew Perry's death: 'Ketamine Queen' pleads guilty to selling actor fatal dose
    • Local news

    “Matthew Perry’s Tragic Passing: ‘Ketamine Queen’ Admits to Supplying Lethal Dose”

    A woman, dubbed the “Ketamine Queen,” admitted guilt on Wednesday to providing…
    • Internewscast
    • September 3, 2025
    Oklahoma boy, 13, killed in fireworks accident
    • Local news

    13-Year-Old Boy in Oklahoma Dies in Fireworks Incident

    TULSA, Okla. (KFOR) A 13-year-old Tulsa boy died on Labor Day following…
    • Internewscast
    • September 4, 2025
    Central Maroons confident rivalry game will bring energy, passion
    • Local news

    Central Maroons Excited for Riveting Rivalry Showdown

    CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Few people know more about the Central-Centennial rivalry…
    • Internewscast
    • September 4, 2025
    United Way unites Coastal Empire with launch of 2026 campaign
    • Local news

    United Way Brings Coastal Empire Together with New 2026 Campaign Launch

    HUTCHINSON ISLAND, Ga. () – Excitement is building as United Way of…
    • Internewscast
    • September 4, 2025
    Vance says ‘no immediate’ plans to send National Guard to Chicago
    • Local news

    Vance: No Plans to Deploy National Guard to Chicago Anytime Soon

    Vice President Vance stated on Wednesday that there are “no immediate” plans…
    • Internewscast
    • September 4, 2025
    Florida caretaker accused of stealing man's $1.1M home, spending life savings for lavish trips
    • Local news

    Florida Caretaker Charged with Stealing $1.1M Home and Squandering Life Savings on Luxury Vacations

    A caregiver in Florida is facing charges for allegedly taking over her…
    • Internewscast
    • September 3, 2025
    Trump administration asks Supreme Court to quickly take up tariffs case after appeals court loss
    • Local news

    Trump Administration Requests Supreme Court Review of Tariffs Case Following Appeals Court Defeat

    WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, the Trump administration escalated the tariff dispute to…
    • Internewscast
    • September 4, 2025
    New Jersey council candidate dances during meeting
    • Local news

    New Jersey Council Candidate Caught Dancing in Meeting

    Internet Explorer 11 is not supported. For the best experience, please visit…
    • Internewscast
    • September 4, 2025
    C-SPAN announces deal for its service to be carried on YouTube TV, Hulu
    • Local news

    C-SPAN Joins YouTube TV and Hulu Lineup

    NEW YORK – C-SPAN announced on Wednesday that it has secured agreements…
    • Internewscast
    • September 3, 2025
    What's driving U.S. Big Tech investments in India
    • Asia

    Why Are Major U.S. Tech Companies Investing in India?

    Hello, I am Priyanka Salve, CNBC’s senior correspondent for India, writing from…
    • Internewscast
    • September 4, 2025
    John Cena's Acting Debut Launched An Awful Franchise We'd Love To Forget
    • TV Shows

    John Cena’s First Movie Started a Terrible Franchise We’d Rather Not Remember

    20th Century…
    • Internewscast
    • September 4, 2025
    Dog-walking man stumbles on suspected debris from Reagan National plane crash 7 months later
    • US

    Dog Walker Finds Possible Wreckage from Reagan National Plane Crash Seven Months On

    A man walking his dog over Labor Day weekend discovered what may…
    • Internewscast
    • September 4, 2025
    Husband tried to suffocate wife with pillow, cops say
    • Crime

    Police Report: Man Allegedly Attempts to Smother Wife with Pillow

    Inset: Image of Cody Romano courtesy of Buffalo Grove Police Department. Background:…
    • Internewscast
    • September 4, 2025
    Internewscast Journal
    • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • DMCA Notice
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Guest Post
    • Support Our Cause
    Copyright 2023. All Right Reserverd.