Every country around the world has their own judicial system in place, and this includes how judges are selected for their positions. The method by which these judges are chosen speaks volumes about the legal philosophy, democratic structure, and civic expectations of each nation.
In the United States, judges are chosen through various methods, one of which is election. On the first day of June 2025, Mexico followed suit when it held its first-ever election of judges. The historic day saw nearly 13 million people participate, out of the nation’s population of 131.8 million. In total, 2,681 judges were ultimately elected. But this process of judicial election has received both praise and deep criticism across the globe.
Is holding an election for judges a good thing? What are the benefits and costs to this type of process? Click through the following gallery to find out.