Voting in Brazil is the Law

It’s almost that time. November 3rd is just around the corner and voters in the US are determined to make their votes count. With so much talk about voting these days, we thought we’d touch on a unique aspect of voting in Brazil.

In the US, we often say that voting is a civic duty. You do it not because you have to but because you want to. It’s an opportunity to participate in the public discourse and help determine the path forward for the country. It’s your chance to be heard and make a change.

Brazil, however, is different. Voting is not a right. Rather, it’s a requirement enshrined in the 1932 Constitution. According to the Constitution, voting is an obligation for anyone over the age of 18 and an option for anyone over the age of 70, those who are older than 16 but younger than 18, and anyone who is illiterate.

Article 6 of Law No. 4.737 from July of 1965 also addresses voting. It says that you must vote unless you are sick, away from your domicile, or in civil or military service (making it impossible to vote).

Failure to vote without justification is subject to penalty. You can be fined between 3-10% of the local minimum salary, and you’ll be prohibited from getting a passport or ID, obtaining a public sector job, participating in a government auction, or receiving a government loan.

It’s no wonder why Brazilians take voting so seriously. It’s not like they have a choice.