Voting machines with biometric identification mechanism to be tested in 117 cities

In 2010, in a first trial run, some 1.1 million voters used the new biometric identification technology. This year the testing will be expanded.

Technicians from the Federal Election Court (“Tribunal Superior Eleitoral – TSE”) have recommended testing biometric voting machines (“urnas biomêtricas”) in 117 cities in various states as part of preparations for their use in this October’s midterm (“eleições municipais”) elections.

Then, on October 7 and October 28, when the first round of voting and runoff elections take place this year, some 7.7 million voters in 299 municipalities in 24 states will use the new machines. Voters in five state capitals will use voting machines with digital identification technology. In Maceio, Alagoas, and Aracaju, Sergipe, 100% of voters will use the new technology. Some voters in Curitiba, state of Paraná, Goiâna, state of Goiás, and Porto Velho, state of Rondônia, will use them as well.

Voters in Manaus, state of Amazonas, and Rio Branco, state of Roraima, will use the old electronic voting machines. There will not be any elections in Brasilia this year.

Voters in the cities participating in the trial run have been convoked to register their fingerprints and photographs, as well as update their voter registration information.

Workers at polling stations are being trained to work with the new machines that scan thumb and index finger fingerprints. They will be ready to make up to 12 attempts to get the machines to recognize a thumb or fingerprint (the rules are that they can make up to three attempts on each thumb and index finger on each hand). If that does not work, the voter will have to identify himself with a document with a photo.

If and when the biometric identification systems work they will eliminate the need for voters to sign presence lists.