Pablo Gómez: The people will decide the course of electoral reform.

Mexican democracy is going through a pivotal moment. From the National Palace, Pablo Gómez Álvarez, head of the Presidential Commission for Electoral Reform , asserted that it will be the citizens, not the party leadership, who will decide the course of changes to the electoral system .

This statement marks a historic turning point: for the first time, the debate over how elections in Mexico should be organized is being broadly opened to public opinion, with forums, hearings, and surveys held across the country.

For decades, electoral reforms were negotiated in the halls of Congress and among party leaders. Today, the narrative has changed. “The discussion is open to all, there will be no censorship, and any criticism will be heard,” Gómez declared at a press conference.

President Claudia Sheinbaum supported this approach, stating: "It's no longer the elites who decide. The reform is decided by the people." The final proposal will be presented in January 2026, following this public consultation process.

The plan includes hearings in all 32 states , thematic debates, and opinion polls to be conducted in October and November. Additionally, the microsite www.reformaelectoral.gob.mx was launched, where anyone can register and submit their proposals.

The discussion axes cover transcendental topics:

• Political freedoms and dissemination of ideas
• Financing and oversight of political parties
• Voting of Mexicans abroad
• Affirmative actions and representation of indigenous peoples
• Electoral justice and administrative authorities

Each forum seeks to give voice to different sectors: youth, indigenous communities, migrants, and the general public.

Far from marginalizing electoral bodies, the commission has engaged in dialogue with the National Electoral Institute (INE) and the Electoral Tribunal of the Federal Judicial Branch (TEPJF) . According to Gómez, these are "friendly" conversations, where experts provide the technical insight necessary to enrich the citizen debate.

Until a few years ago, discussions about democracy in Mexico were perceived as distant matters, reserved for politicians and specialists. Today, the narrative has changed: any citizen can sit in front of a microphone in a local forum and debate the future of elections in Mexico .

For many, this represents a step toward a more authentic participatory democracy , where public consultations, surveys, and forums are as important as legislative agreements.

The process will culminate in January 2026, when the Commission will present a preliminary draft to President Sheinbaum, who will then send the initiative to the Congress. Subsequently, the state legislatures must issue their opinions, and finally, the regulatory laws will be defined.

Expectations are high: the reform could not only change the rules of the electoral game, but also strengthen citizen confidence in institutions and open the door to new forms of participation.