Mexico's 2026-2027 Elections: Parties Launch Candidate Races Early

Mexico's political parties are already gearing up for the 2026-2027 electoral process, with several initiating candidate selection procedures well before the official September start date. These early moves aim to fill over 15,000 positions up for grabs in the elections scheduled for June of next year.

The alliance formed by Morena, the Labor Party (PT), and the Green Ecologist Party of Mexico (PVEM) has formally begun its processes. Similarly, the National Action Party (PAN) and the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) are also underway with their respective selection methods, albeit separately.

According to electoral advisors and former officials consulted by EL UNIVERSAL, this premature campaigning could place newer parties, such as Somos México and PAZ, at a disadvantage. These parties have only recently secured their official registration, potentially limiting their resources and established presence compared to more established political entities.

While the National Electoral Institute (INE) seeks to regulate these internal selection processes, many experts view the early starts as potentially illegal. This practice echoes the 2023 lead-up to the 2024 federal elections, where Morena began selecting its gubernatorial and presidential candidates months in advance. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's "corcholatas" (potential presidential candidates) initiative involved public mentions and early campaigning, which, despite challenges, was ultimately permitted by the Electoral Tribunal under certain interpretations.

This year, the early candidate selection is not limited to Morena but also includes its allies, PT and PVEM, as well as the PAN and PRI. Morena, for instance, conducted its registration for aspirants to state coordinator roles, positions that could lead to gubernatorial candidacies, between June 22 and 27.