Impact of Electronic Voting Machines on Blank Votes and Null Votes in Brazilian Elections in 1998

Abstract

Electronic voting machines were used for the first time in general elections in Brazil in 1998; in that year, some cities used this new voting method, while others continued to vote using paper ballots. Few studies have demonstrated that the rate of invalid votes for federal deputy was significantly lower in cities that used electronic voting machines.This article analyzes the frequency of null votes and blank votes for four posts-federal deputy, state deputy, the president and governor. Based on a comparison of the results from the 1998 elections with the results from previous elections (1994), the article demonstrates that electronic voting machines reduced the percentage of blank votes for federal deputy, state deputies, the president and governor. Meanwhile, null votes reduced the competition for the posts of federal deputy and state deputy; however, it increased the competition for posts with greater visibility in the Brazilian political system: the governor and president.

Opening the Opaque Blank Box

“…The argument is that electronic voting made voting easier and prevented unintentionally nullified votes. For example, using experimental methods in the Brazilian context, Nicolau (2015) showed that the introduction of electronic voting machines greatly reduced the quantity of null votes in elections. Clearly, the voting method (electronic or paper) has consequences on both null and blank ballots.…”

“…The third set of factors affecting blank and null ballots are the socio-economic and socio-demographic contexts. According to Nicolau (2015) 50% of null and blank ballots can be explained by socio-economic factors. Null and blank ballots are more frequent in less affluent areas and in times of economic recession (see also Driscoll & Nelson, 2014;Percheron et al, 1987;Stiefbold, 1965).…”

“…In particular, there would be more of such ballots in municipalities where socio-economic conditions are lower. In areas that are worst off, dissatisfaction with politics tends to be higher and translates into more abstention and increased intentional invalid votes (Nicolau, 2015).…”

Winners and Losers of the Ballot: Electronic vs. Traditional Paper Voting Systems in Brazil

“…Scholars generally concede that the introduction of electronic voting has reduced the invalid vote share (Nicolau 2015; Fujiwara 2015; Allers and Kooreman 2008; Stewart 2006; Knack and Kropf 2003; Hanmer et al 2010; Lott 2009). However, some have uncovered important caveats to this relationship that account for election type and specific features of ballot design.…”

“…Previous work on electronic voting in Brazil suggests that increased concentration of votes among viable candidates cannot be attributed to a reduction in turnout or to an increase in the number of blank ballots cast (Nicolau 2015; Fujiwara 2015). This article provides an alternative explanation.…”