Morelos opens electoral process, with 11 mayoral races reserved for women

Morelos has begun its 2026-2027 electoral process with an unprecedented feature: in 11 municipalities, only women will be able to run for mayor.

The state electoral council opened the process during an extraordinary session. Mireya Gally Jordá, president of the Morelos Institute for Electoral Processes and Citizen Participation, urged political parties to compete with clear proposals, respect the legal framework and maintain a high-level debate. She also called on citizens to take an active part.

Voters will choose 20 state deputies, 33 municipal presidents, 33 municipal trustees and 153 council members. Electoral authorities expect to install approximately 2,577 polling stations.

Electoral councillor Elizabeth Martínez Gutiérrez described citizen participation as the election’s fundamental force and called for an end to political violence against women based on gender. Other councillors highlighted advances in political participation by women and Indigenous people, as well as the arrival of two new national parties and one new local party.

The authorities also pointed to the “Conóceles” platform, which will provide information about the candidates. They said institutional coordination would be important as the new political forces and the expanded participation of women shape the election.

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Political participation will be the fundamental force of this election.