Judicial Reform Officially Published in the Federal Gazette

President López Obrador has officially published the judicial reform in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF). The constitutional change took effect on Sept. 16, initiating the electoral process for selecting judges, ministers, and magistrates through direct voting.

The DOF’s publication on Sept. 15 followed the Union Congress’s confirmation of the reform’s constitutionality, with over 17 local congresses approving the judicial changes. "Today, on this historic day, I signed the decree for the publication of the constitutional reform to the Judicial Branch in the Official Federal Gazette. This reform was approved by Congress and most local legislatures,” stated López Obrador.

The process will involve the election of Supreme Court ministers, regional chamber magistrates of the Electoral Tribunal of the Federal Judicial Branch (TEPJF), and members of the Judicial Discipline Tribunal. For circuit magistrates and district judges, the election will be staggered: in the 2025 extraordinary election, half of the positions in each judicial circuit will be renewed, while the rest will be filled in 2027. 

The Mexican Bar Association criticized the publication of the reform, noting that it occurred despite a provisional suspension issued by a judge in Colima, which was meant to postpone the publication of the judicial reform until Oct. 11. “It is unbelievable but true. Despite the suspension, the Executive published the reform to the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States concerning the Judicial Branch on a Sunday night,” the bar commented.

Guadalupe Taddei, President, INE, announced the commencement of preparations for the Judicial Branch election. The INE will manage the entire election process for judges, ministers, and magistrates, including vote counting, result publication, and issuing certificates of majority to the winners. They will also validate the election and forward the results to the Electoral Tribunal. The INE has less than seven days to hold a General Council session to initiate preparations for the 2025 extraordinary election.

Judicial Reform 

The reform brings significant changes, including the direct election of judges, magistrates, and Supreme Court ministers starting in 2025. The Supreme Court will eliminate its two existing chambers, which currently handle civil, criminal, administrative, and labor cases, and reduce its bench from 11 to nine members, who will serve 12-year terms instead of 15 years.

For the appointment of the 11 Supreme Court ministers, the Executive Branch will propose 10 candidates, the Judicial Branch will suggest another 10, and both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies will each nominate five candidates. Approval will require a two-thirds majority in each chamber.

Current Supreme Court ministers will be replaced by the new judges on Sept. 1, 2025, following the public vote, unless they resign before then. Candidates for these positions must hold a law degree with at least 10 years of professional experience and must not have held federal positions. They can campaign on radio and television to present their proposals and participate in debates, but they will not be permitted to use public funds or accept private donations. Furthermore, all federal judges, including magistrates and Supreme Court ministers, must adjust their salaries to ensure they do not earn more than the president.