Young people can win their first title until May 8th (Photo: Marcello Casal Jr, Agência Brasil)
The number of voters in Santa Catarina between 16 and 17 years old grew again in 2024, compared to 2020. According to information from the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), in February, Santa Catarina has 33,872 voters in this age group, an increase of 50.8% in relation to young people who were eligible to vote in the last municipal election.
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This increase interrupts the sequence of declines in this statistic, which had been occurring since 2012, in the elections for mayors and councilors. The trend can also be observed in relation to general elections, when president, governors, senators and deputies are chosen.
In schools in Santa Catarina, the subject of elections is already a topic in the subjects. As students’ interest grew, the subject gained ground.
Julian Borba, political scientist, considers that politics is discussed much more today than it was seven or eight years ago. Therefore, school can be the environment to encourage young people to exercise citizenship.
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So far, 31 thousand young people between 16 and 17 years old have registered to vote in Santa Catarina. At this age, it is already possible to vote, but it is not yet mandatory. The TSE’s expectation is that this number will still grow until May 8, the deadline for issuing the title.
Gonçalo Agostini Ribeiro, general director of TRE-SC, considers the vote of the young population essential, especially in these municipal elections.
Campaigns encourage the participation of young voters
In 2018, the Regional Electoral Court of Santa Catarina (TRE-SC) launched the campaign “The Vote is Mine – My future, my choice”. In 2021, the TSE ran the “Let’s Vote!” campaign. on radio, TV channels and the internet.
The actions sought to clarify doubts about the electoral system and highlight the importance of exercising the right to vote in an informed manner.
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*With information from reporter Walter Quevedo, from NSC TV
