Alejandro Trelles

Alejandro Trelles is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Politics at Brandeis University, with research expertise in comparative politics, electoral management, redistricting, political parties, and democratization, focusing on Latin America and Africa. He holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh and a B.A. from ITAM in Mexico City.

• Ph.D., Political Science, University of Pittsburgh
• M.A., Political Science, University of Pittsburgh
• B.A., ITAM, Mexico City

His research centers on the institutional and informal dynamics of electoral autonomy and its impact on democratic stability. He has conducted extensive fieldwork in Venezuela, Mexico, Ghana, Kenya, and Egypt, and his work has been published in leading journals such as Electoral Studies, Political Geography, and Journal of Latin American Studies. He has co-authored two books: Anatomy of the PRI and AMLO: Political and Personal History of the Head of Government of Mexico City.

His recent publications reveal a consistent focus on electoral boundary delimitation, electoral integrity, and political representation in comparative perspective, particularly in Latin America. The themes span institutional design, informal power, redistricting reform, and the role of electoral management bodies in democratic consolidation.

He has received significant recognition and funding for his work, including:

• XIII Ex ITAM Research Award for Best Dissertation in Political Science (2007–2008)
• David B. Houston Human Rights and Social Justice in Latin America Award (2012–2013)
• Norman and Tomberg Research Award (2018–2022)
• Latin American and Latinx Studies Program Research Award (2019–2020)

Trelles has secured research support from the Electoral Integrity Project, the Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS), and the African Studies Program at the University of Pittsburgh. He is a co-principal investigator in the Public Mapping Project Mexico (PMP) and has worked closely with Mexico’s National Electoral Institute (INE) on redistricting. He has also served as an independent consultant for the Organization of American States on electoral organization and boundary delimitation. While student advising is not explicitly mentioned, his active research roles suggest mentorship and collaboration with graduate and undergraduate researchers.

His work is supported by interdisciplinary teams and institutional affiliations focused on electoral reform, democratization, and political representation in the Global South.