Evaluating Mexico’s Judicial Reform

Mexico is undergoing an unprecedented judicial reform replacing all federal and local judges—from the Supreme Court to municipal tribunals—through popular elections. In June 2025, half of all federal judgeships were filled by vote, while the rest remain career judges until 2027. Because seats were assigned by lottery, this reform has created the largest natural experiment in judicial history, enabling causal analysis of how judicial elections affect the separation of powers, rule of law, and democratic resilience. In partnership with the World Justice Project and the Mexican Bar Association, the project will (a) survey practicing lawyers, (b) analyze tribunal outputs comparing elected and career judges, and (c) pilot AI-assisted coding of rulings. The results will inform a centuries-old debate—from Federalist No. 78 to modern reformers—over whether the judiciary's role in a democracy is best secured by appointment or election. Support is vital to capture this fleeting two-year window.