In Mexico, the puzzling relationships between socioeconomic development and voting challenge the classical theories of modernization: in many regions the most participative territories are the poorest ones. To comprehend this contradictory geography of electoral participation, this research explores the varieties of voting in different contexts, levels and scales, focusing on diverse forms of electoral mobilization (based on community or identity; on corporatism and patronage; on psychological, social or territorial linkages; or on individual and rational choice). This invites to revisit the relations between “universal” suffrage and socio‐political inclusion and participation, on democratic contestation and representation, on governance and legitimacy. What conditions favor/inhibit free, egalitarian, autonomous and effective voting, in hybrid situations of transition from/to democratic/authoritarian regimes?