The Laboratory for Evaluation and Innovation in Public Policies (LAIPP) published an article entitled "WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS OF ADOPTING ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES IN BRAZIL?".
The article discusses how, until the 1990s, Brazil conducted its elections using paper ballots. However, filling out a ballot, which would be a trivial task for people with some level of education, was a challenge at the time, especially when 23% of adults were unable to read and write. The problem was compounded by the fact that citizens were required to write the candidate's name to validate their vote, and the instructions were provided in writing.
The electronic voting machine, on the other hand, displays error messages when a vote is counted as null or blank, shows the photo of the chosen candidate, and provides step-by-step instructions on how to vote. Furthermore, instead of a name, the voter only needs to type in the numbers of their chosen candidate. In other words, the electronic voting machine has reduced the difficulties of voting and led to a reduction in blank and null votes.
Therefore, among the various effects of adopting electronic voting machines, we can understand that greater political participation of lower economic classes in elections has become possible, so that these citizens, through the exercise of their right to vote, can achieve a greater redistribution of public resources in their favor. To read this and other articles in full, click here.
