The Jalisco State Congress this week approved political reforms that will allow state legislators to run for four consecutive terms of office and mayors for two terms.
From 2015, the state’s 125 mayors and city councilors will be able to seek re-election and remain in office for six years, rather than the current three-year term, generally considered too short to implement long-lasting, effective policies.
State Congress representatives (diputados) will be able to run in three additional elections once their initial three-year term has finished.Representatives who switch parties will be barred from running in a consecutive election.
The changes mirror federal reforms passed in February permitting the reelection of senators for an additional term and diputados federales for four consecutive terms.
The tradition of no reelection has dominated Mexico’s political system for decades, ever since it became a pivotal theme in the struggle to oust dictator Porfirio Diaz before the onset of the 1910 Mexican Revolution.
Another part of the reform bill obliges political parties to postulate women candidates for 50 percent of seats at congressional elections.
Under the new laws, independent candidates will be allowed to run for office for the first time.
In addition, from 2015 all Jalisco citizens residing abroad will be have the right to vote in state elections.