Mexico's Deadly Election Season

What’s happening: As Mexican cartels retain a stronghold in government, the country’s current election cycle is shaping up to be one of the bloodiest in recent history. Powerful organized crime groups seek to clear the field for their preferred candidates ahead of the June 2 election, and political candidates vying for 20,000 local positions are targets.

• By the numbers: 174 cases of electoral violence against office seekers have been reported, including 30 murders, 11 kidnappings, 29 attempted killings, and 77 threats.

Dive deeper: Candidates in cartel hot spots are most affected by violence. Criminal gangs aided by increasing revenues from drug trafficking and migrant smuggling seek political control to expand their lucrative operations.

Mexico's Response: Although Mexican President Andres Manuel López Obrador has downplayed the violence, Mexican leaders are expanding a federal security program to provide endangered candidates with armed escorts.

• However, dozens of candidates across the political spectrum have withdrawn from races. Others expressed concern that requests for protection are ignored due to government corruption and lack of coordination between federal and local governments.

• Lowering turnout: Political violence will likely scare voters away from the polls. Previous studies show that voter turnout declines 1.3 percent for every attack on a candidate.

Why it matters: The spike in violence is a deterrent for both candidates and voters, threatening the future of democracy in Mexico if cartels retain power.

• What's next: Should cartels succeed in expanding their political influence in June, Americans can expect to see more drug trafficking and a worsening border crisis.