Baja Voters Face a Judicial Marathon: 220+ Picks in Under 12 Minutes

On June 1, every citizen in Baja California will be hit with one of the most daunting ballots in history—over 220 judicial positions, including 172 state-level and 50 federal posts, with roughly 1,000 candidates in the mix.

According to election officials, casting a vote could take anywhere from 10 to 12 minutes per person. That’s right: voters will need to sift through hundreds of names to choose their judges, magistrates, and ministers. The process, described during a breakfast meeting by María Guadalupe Plaza Medina from the INE, could stretch to 12 minutes as some voters take their time reading and double-checking candidate details.

To keep things moving, each polling station will be set up with 8 to 15 voting booths so multiple people can cast their ballots at once. In total, Baja California will have 2,625 polling stations—Tijuana leading with 1,396, followed by Mexicali with 730, Ensenada with 287, Playas de Rosarito with 73, Tecate with 69, San Quintín with 59, and San Felipe with 11, plus six special sites in universities and transit hubs.

This “judicial” election, a first of its kind in the country, has already prompted a significant budget request of over 241 million pesos to cover everything from printing ballots to upgrading voting materials. The federal INE has also capped campaign spending for judicial candidates at about 220,000 pesos (11,000 U.S dollars) per person to ensure fairness.

With radio, TV, print, and social media campaigns, along with forums at universities and community centers, officials are working hard to prepare voters for what promises to be a true test of patience and civic duty. Can Baja handle the judicial marathon? Only time will tell.

Sheinbaum Kicks Off Housing Program in Playas de Rosarito

President Claudia Sheinbaum recently visited Playas de Rosarito to launch the National Housing Program, aiming to build 50,000 homes in Baja California as part of a nationwide effort to construct one million affordable residences. 

The initiative focuses on providing housing for vulnerable groups, including single mothers, young people, indigenous communities, and the elderly.  In Playas de Rosarito, approximately 500 homes are planned, prioritizing female beneficiaries. 

During her visit, Sheinbaum emphasized the importance of intergovernmental collaboration to ensure the success of the program and addressed other regional priorities, such as improving access to potable water.

This housing initiative reflects the government’s commitment to enhancing living conditions for underserved populations across Mexico.

Four State Police Officers Temporarily Removed in Rosarito Amid Complaints

Four officers from the State Police have been temporarily removed from duty in Rosarito following two formal complaints since the state police took over local security on March 7th.

According to Baja California’s Secretary of Citizen Security, Laureano Carrillo Rodríguez, one complaint was filed with the State Attorney General’s Office, while another was submitted to the Internal Control Body of the security department.

“We’ve had people come forward with complaints about the state police. So far, there are two formal cases, and we are investigating,” said Carrillo Rodríguez.

He also addressed allegations circulating on social media, stating that they are being looked into, but no additional formal reports have been filed.

Officers Reassigned, No Concrete Evidence Yet

Regarding the status of the four officers, Carrillo Rodríguez clarified that they have been relocated for safety reasons while the Internal Control Body conducts an investigation.

“There is no evidence linking them to the accusations, but they have been reassigned while we investigate,” he explained.

Since March 7th, the State Police have been in charge of security in Rosarito, replacing the 264 municipal officers who are currently undergoing psychological, medical, and toxicology tests, along with social background checks and polygraph exams as part of a vetting process. Even their firearms are being inspected for serial numbers and codes.

It’s not every day that you see officers being held accountable, but sometimes justice happens when you least expect it. Hopefully, this is just the beginning of a much-needed clean-up in Rosarito’s security forces.

Rosarito’s Desalination Plant Confirmed: A Game Changer for Water Supply and Tourism

Rosarito is set to get its own desalination plant, as confirmed by Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum during her morning press conference. The project, part of the National Water Plan, is moving forward with an estimated investment of 12 billion pesos ($648 million USD).

“Yes, we are going to build it… We will make the desalination plant in Baja California a reality,” Sheinbaum stated.

Rosarito’s Mayor Rocío Adame wasted no time celebrating the news. “The desalination plant is happening! This project will be key to improving water supply in South Rosarito and protecting our beaches,” she wrote on social media.

A Sustainable Future for Rosarito

The plant, classified as a Greenfield project, will have a production capacity of 2,200 liters per second, ensuring a sustainable water supply for the region. According to Proyectos México, the most recent review took place on March 12, 2025, with Banobras and Fonadin backing the initiative.

Beyond water infrastructure, Rosarito is also making waves in tourism and sustainability. Mayor Adame’s administration is actively working toward National Tourism Quality Certification, a seal that guarantees high standards and environmental responsibility for destinations across Mexico.

“This certification is a comprehensive recognition of quality and sustainability in tourism,” explained Paul Corona Rodríguez, president of COTUCO Rosarito.

With major infrastructure investments and a strong focus on eco-friendly tourism, Rosarito is on track to become a national leader in regional development.

Tijuana Mayor Announces Leave of Abscense

Arturo Gonzalez, mayor of Tijuana, surprisingly announced that he had submitted a leave of absence effective next Wednesday because he is interested in participating in the internal process to choose a state coordinator for the Morena party.

He emphatically denied that he was leaving his post because of the many allegations by governor Bonilla criticizing his work in the city.

He stated that the governor has repeatedly tried to discredit him and uses illegal tactics to diminish his odds of winning the governor seat in the coming election.

Both the Governor and Tijuana Mayor come from the Morena party, but they have not been able to get along since May.

 

With information from: El Vigia

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