Mexico's lower house rejects Sheinbaum's electoral reform, 'Plan B' looms

RiddleMaster · 2026-03-11T22:43:31+00:00

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum's electoral reform proposal was rejected by lawmakers, lacking necessary support from coalition partners. The initiative aimed to enhance democracy and reduce electoral costs but may be revisited through alternative legislative modifications.

RiddleMaster

2026-03-11 22:43:31

Abstract generation in progress

MEXICO CITY, March 11 (Reuters) - An electoral reform proposed by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was rejected on ‌Wednesday by lawmakers who criticized the bill as a bid by the ruling party to concentrate power.

The bill in the lower house of Congress fell short of the required supermajority because Sheinbaum’s usual allies from the Green Party (PVEM) and the Labor Party (PT) withheld ⁠their support, even as it secured 259 votes in favor and 234 against, with one abstention.

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The setback marks a rare rift in the coalition between the ruling Morena party and its partners, a bloc that has been essential for passing constitutional reforms since 2021.

Sheinbaum introduced the initiative in late February, arguing that it would strengthen democracy, increase citizen participation and cut electoral costs by a quarter. The ‌proposal ⁠included a reduction in Senate seats and increased oversight of electoral bodies.

Pablo Gomez, head of the electoral reform commission, said in late February that Mexico’s electoral system costs reached $3.55 billion in 2024.

Despite the defeat, Sheinbaum ⁠this week suggested a “Plan B” that would involve modifying secondary laws rather than the constitution. Such a move would only require a simple ⁠majority to pass.

According to electoral experts, this alternative path could allow for cuts to the National Electoral Institute (INE), changes to ⁠proportional representation, and new regulations on the use of artificial intelligence in political campaigns.

Reporting by Raul Cortes, Diego Ore and Natalia Siniawski; Editing by Daina Beth Solomon and David Gregorio

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Diego Oré

Thomson Reuters

Senior Correspondent based in Mexico. Reports on politics, corruption, security, migration and economy in Mexico and Central America. A Peruvian journalist with more than 20 years of experience in Latin America and the Caribbean covering elections, coups d’etat, uprisings, summits, economic crisis, natural disasters and sports. Previously based in Peru, Bolivia and Venezuela, he’s fluent in Spanish and English.

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