Lemus challenges the 4T: "Choosing judges in Jalisco is not a lottery."

In a clear challenge to the federally promoted judicial reform model, Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus categorically rejected the use of a "tombola" or lottery for the selection of judges and magistrates, arguing that the process should be based on merit and ability.

Amid the intense national debate over judicial reform, Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus has taken a firm stance that distances himself from the federal plan: the election of judges should not be a game of chance. Lemus expressed his total rejection of the "raffle" method for renewing the state's judiciary, arguing that justice cannot be left to chance.

His position is based on defending meritocracy as a pillar of the judicial system. "The governor argued that merit should be the key consideration in the process of renewing the judiciary," it was reported after his remarks.

The initiative that the Lemus administration submitted to the Jalisco Congress for local judicial reform explicitly excludes any type of lottery or drawing. The objective, as explained, is to ensure that positions are filled by "the best women and men," selected based on their education, experience, and professional career.

The philosophy behind his proposal was encapsulated in a phrase that defines his vision of public service and justice.

"Life is about work, merit, effort. It's not about winning the lottery," said Pablo Lemus, emphasizing his belief that technical ability should prevail over any other criteria.

Jalisco's position represents one of the first and clearest counterweights to the judicial reform model promoted by the Fourth Transformation government. While at the national level, the popular election of judges, magistrates, and ministers is being promoted as a method to democratize justice and break with supposed elites, Lemus's proposal warns of the risks of politicizing or leaving to chance the selection of profiles that require high technical specialization.

This dispute positions Jalisco as a possible "laboratory" for an alternative model, generating a fundamental debate about two opposing visions for reforming one of the pillars of the state.

Lemus's insistence on a merit-based model also draws on recent experience. The governor has pointed out that the judicial election held in June failed to motivate citizen participation in Jalisco or generate certainty. He called for harmonizing the reform so that the 2027 process not only guarantees professional profiles and is independent of political parties, but also incentivizes citizens to go to the polls, noting that voter turnout in Jalisco in previous elections exceeded 3.7 million, a figure far from the figure achieved in the June election.