In Brazil, youth vote could decide election

Voters between 15 and 29 years old represent 27% of Brazil's electorate. According to the Electoral Court, their vote will be decisive in municipal elections in October. Data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) show that Brazil has about 51 million young people aged 15 to 29 years, equivalent to a quarter of the country's population. Of these, more than 75% (38,876,290) are eligible to vote in this year's elections, according to data from the Superior Electoral Court. Young people between 25 and 29 years old account for 10.83% of all voters; 21-24 years old, 8.71%, and 16-20 years old, 7.45%.

For political scientist Leonardo Barreto, specialist in electoral behavior, the youth vote can be decisive in elections because they have higher education level than previous generations, and influence the vote of people in their social circle, like parents and grandparents. According to Barreto, researches show that the network with friends and family is the most important factor in voting decision. "The youth often vote with a critical thinking," says the specialist.

Adolescents

In 2014 elections, 1,638,751 adolescents aged 16 and 17 voted, though voting is optional for this age in Brazil. For municipal elections, to be held next October, 2,311,120 adolescents are eligible to vote.

Electoral enrollment and voting are also optional for citizens who are older than 70 or are illiterate.

In Brazil, 144 million voters are eligible to vote in elections for mayors and councilors. The first round will be on October 2.

Translated by Amarílis Anchieta