Heatwaves and the 2024 general elections in Mexico

The case study includes prescriptive lessons learned that may be useful for Mexico’s electoral stakeholders, as well as for those in other countries in the context of organising electoral processes that may face natural hazads. Mexico has experienced a consistent rise in temperatures since 2015, with 2024—the year of general elections—recording the highest on record.

Despite the numerous hazards associated with climate change and the immense administrative challenges, the National Electoral Institute succeeded in installing 99.85 per cent of polling stations, with no significant incidents reported on election day, 2 June. This case study reveals that the professionalism of electoral management bodies (EMB) staff enabled them to effectively manage the risks encountered. Although they were equipped with handbooks on risk management and crisis response for various hazards, these materials did not cover heatwaves, nor was extreme heat considered a significant concern by electoral authorities.