Voting booth with Brazilian electronic ballot machine

Voting booth with Brazilian electronic ballot machine: a symbol of democracy and electoral innovation in the country.

About this subject

The Brazilian electronic voting machine, officially called Urna Eletrônica, is an electronic voting device used by the Electoral Justice since 1996. Developed by the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) in partnership with the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), the machine eliminated paper ballots and drastically reduced electoral fraud. The current model, the Urna 2020, features a touch screen, numeric keypad, and vote printing for verification. Brazil is one of the few countries in the world with fully electronic voting, and vote counting is completed within hours after polls close.

The voting booth, usually made of plastic or metal, ensures the secrecy of the vote. The voter types the candidate's numbers into the machine, which confirms the vote with a photo and name. In municipal and general elections, over 147 million Brazilians are eligible to vote in about 500,000 machines distributed across the country. The system is audited by political parties and oversight entities, and has digital certification to guarantee data integrity.

A curiosity is that the Brazilian electronic voting machine has been exported to countries such as Paraguay, Argentina, and Ecuador, serving as a model for electoral modernization. In 2022, the TSE implemented the Digital Vote Record (RDV), which stores votes on encrypted media for recount if necessary. Despite criticisms about cybersecurity, the machine has never been proven to be fraudulent in over 25 years of use.

The image depicts a voting booth on an overcast day, likely during the election period in Brazil. The outdoor setting suggests a public polling place, common in schools and gyms. The electronic voting machine, with its characteristic design, is ready to receive the citizen's vote, reinforcing the importance of democratic exercise.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Brazilian electronic voting machine work?

The voter types the candidate's number on the machine, which displays a photo and name for confirmation. After confirming, the vote is recorded electronically. The machine is not connected to the internet, ensuring security.

Is the electronic voting machine secure against fraud?

Yes, the system is audited by parties and oversight entities, has digital certification, and no fraud has ever been proven in over 25 years of use.

How many electronic voting machines are used in Brazil?

About 500,000 machines are distributed across the country to serve over 147 million voters.