The hatchback has a rubber-covered button for releasing it and the rubber is torn. A replacement is Mazda P/N GHK1568D0, part #19 in the below drawing, highlighted by a yellow arrow in the below photo.

Mazda3 Hatch Parts Diagram

Photo of the hatch switch, looking upwards from the outside (sorry for the poor photo - black on black is hard to see.)

Can you advise me on how to replace the switch?
Does the outside plastic panel pull outward when you remove some plastic clips or is it more complex than that? I see some things that look like plastic Philips head screws and some other plastic things that may be releases, but don't want to break anything.
Thank you!

 

Not sure about the ballast but those bulbs look pretty cheap. Buy a set of Kensun if you can't afford morimotos. They are better than the OEM halogens and are good Kodi nox for the price.

 

The panel circled in red needs to be unbolted from the inside and removed.