Judges may soon have to run for election in Mexico. Critics say that’s bad news for its democracy

This statement appears to be an expression of some potential concerns for Mexico's democratic process. Much like any representative democracy, the election of public officials like judges can be subject to a variety of influences. 1. Campaign financing: Judges would need to campaign and raise funds to be elected. That potentially opens the door to bribery and corruption, where donors could expect favors or more lenient sentences in return for their support. 2. Politicized judiciary: Running for office requires candidates to be popular, and it may lead to judges making decisions based on what's popular or politically convenient, rather than what adheres to the rule of law. 3. Public ignorance: Most people lack the detailed legal knowledge to competently evaluate a judicial candidate's merit. This lack of expertise means that judges might be elected not based on their legal knowledge and skills but on their popularity or ability to appeal to voters' sentiments. However, it's important to note that these potential issues will depend largely on how the electoral process is structured and regulated. Please note that things could be different under different circumstances, this is based on general observations and may not fit every context precisely. Always consider the local context, historical background and batch of candidates running for the position.