Since its implementation in 1996, electronic voting machines have revolutionized the electoral process in Brazil, marking a turning point in the country's democratic history. They were first used in the 1996 Municipal Elections in 57 cities, including all state capitals and municipalities with more than 200,000 voters, covering one third of the electorate at the time, which represented approximately 32 million Brazilians. With the introduction of this technology, Brazil took a significant step towards ensuring safer, more transparent and accessible elections.
Historical Roots and Development of Electronic Voting Machines
Although the implementation of electronic voting machines was only effective in 1996, the concept of “voting machines” was already present in the 1932 Electoral Code, a document that introduced significant changes, such as the secret vote, female participation in the electoral process and the foundation of the Electoral Court.
In 1995, the electronic voting machine project began to take shape, driven by the formation of a technical committee composed of experts from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) and the Aerospace Technical Center (CTA). The following year, the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) began distributing the first 77,969 electronic voting machines for use in the elections.
Security and Technological Innovation
Since their launch, electronic voting machines have been developed with a strong emphasis on voting security. In the 1996 model, the system already included the printing of the Ballot Bulletin (BU), a feature that ensured the inviolability of the results recorded in the ballot boxes.
Over the years, the ballot box has undergone several technological innovations. The most recent model, UE2022, incorporates new encryption technologies to prevent fraud and ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
Accessibility and inclusion
In addition to security, accessibility was another important pillar in the development of electronic voting machines. The UE96 model, for example, included Braille numbers on the keyboard, ensuring that visually impaired people could vote independently. In 2000, the inclusion of audio for blind voters and a headphone jack demonstrated the Electoral Court's commitment to inclusion.
In addition to synthesized voice, electronic voting machines continue to offer Braille keyboards, providing a tactile interface so that blind voters can locate and press the numbers corresponding to their candidates independently.
Since the 2022 elections, electronic voting machines have also been equipped with translation into Libras (Brazilian Sign Language). This feature is essential for the inclusion of deaf voters, ensuring that they can understand the instructions and the voting process without language barriers.
Continuous improvement and monitoring of electronic voting machines
With each new model, the TSE introduced improvements and updates to ensure the transparency and reliability of the electoral system. From 1998 onwards, the printing of votes was eliminated and rigorous monitoring mechanisms were instituted, such as parallel voting audits, which ensure the integrity of the results.
Electronic voting machines have not only modernized the voting process in Brazil, but have also become a symbol of trust in Brazilian democracy. Since 1996, they have evolved to ensure that each vote is counted in a secure, transparent and accessible manner for all voters. The continuous technological updates and commitment to inclusion reflect the Electoral Court’s commitment to the integrity of the democratic process, ensuring that Brazil remains a reference in electronic elections around the world.
