The upcoming Mexican federal, state, and local elections, scheduled for June 2, 2024, are marred by threats and violence. According to the consulting firm Data Int, 20 people aspiring to elected positions have been murdered, with a total of 76 fatalities potentially linked to the electoral process. In response to the violence, 23 candidates, including all three presidential candidates, have requested protection from the Mexican Government.
Dr. Rosa María Mirón Lince, a professor-researcher at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, highlights the troubling levels of insecurity and violence surrounding the elections. With more than a month left until the state and municipal campaigns begin, she describes the electoral environment as tumultuous.
These elections will be historic, with over 20,000 public positions up for grabs, including the presidency, Congress, and nine state governments. The National Electoral Institute (INE) reports that nearly 100 million Mexican citizens are registered to vote in the upcoming election, with approximately 15 million first-time voters. Additionally, over 653,000 Mexicans abroad have received credentials to vote from overseas.
In the presidential race, Claudia Sheinbaum leads the polls as the candidate of the leftist coalition Let’s Keep Making History, while Xóchitl Gálvez represents the opposition coalition Fuerza y Corazón por México. The growth of the National Regeneration Movement (Morena) under President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has been described as “dizzying” by Dr. Mirón Lince, who attributes their success to generous social programs and populist rhetoric.
As Mexico gears up for this mega election day, the challenges of violence, security, and political polarization remain at the forefront. The outcome of these elections will be pivotal for the future of the country and its leadership.