Introduction
The election process for selecting 137 members of the Judicial Power of Mexico City (PJCDMX) is underway, with 612 candidates vying for positions. These roles include 98 judge vacancies, 34 magistrate positions, and 5 magistrates for the Tribunal of Judicial Discipline (TDJ). The campaign period, which began on May 14 and ends on May 28, presents unique challenges due to legal restrictions on campaign activities.
Campaign Constraints
Candidates face limitations in organizing their campaigns, lacking the necessary infrastructure and teams for tasks such as financial reporting. Moreover, they cannot allocate funds for promotional activities during the 45-day campaign period since public resources and private financing for political promotion are not permitted.
Focus on Social Media
Ixchel Alzaga Alcántara, a candidate for magistrate in the TDJ, explains that creativity and on-the-ground presence are crucial due to the limited campaign budget. She states, “We can’t hold rallies, print posters; our campaign spending is very restricted. The less we spend, the cleaner and better it is. Our main campaign elements are creativity and being physically present since we only have two avenues: social media and in-person interactions.”
Candidate Strategies
Adriana Macedo: “Tocar Puertas” Approach
Adriana Macedo, a candidate for administrative judge in District Five covering Coyoacán and Iztapalapa, focuses on “tocar puertas” (knocking on doors) since paying for canvassers or promoting on social media is prohibited. She visits markets, parks, and local markets to engage with the public and share her proposals.
Rodolfo Salmón: Leveraging Social Media and Future Maneuvers
Rodolfo Salmón, another TDJ candidate, initially used Instagram to connect with judicial workers in Mexico City as citizens. He plans to shift his focus to broader public engagement while considering organizing rallies with fellow candidates to maximize exposure for his proposals.
Financial Considerations
Candidates like Macedo and Salmón advocate for amending the electoral law to allocate public funding for judicial candidates and enable campaign rallies. Alzaga Alcántara emphasizes the importance of a candidate’s ethical and moral track record alongside professional experience.
Key Questions and Answers
- What are the main challenges faced by candidates in Mexico City’s judicial elections? Candidates face legal restrictions on campaign activities, limited budgets, and the inability to allocate funds for promotional efforts during the 45-day campaign period.
- How are candidates adapting to these constraints? Candidates are focusing on creative, grassroots campaigning through social media and in-person interactions.
- What changes do candidates propose to the electoral law? Candidates advocate for public funding allocation and allowing campaign rallies to enhance citizen engagement.
