CRITICAL REFLECTIONS ON THE BLANK VOTE AND ON THE NULL VOTE IN BRAZIL

Abstract

It provides an overview of the current legal system for blank votes and null votes in proportional elections. It demonstrates that in these elections, both votes are equivalent in practice. Based on this overview, it performs casuistic tests to observe the effects caused by the change in the number of blank votes, first disregarding these votes in the counting, then counting them. It notes that a significant number of blank or null votes is necessary to cause significant changes in the outcome of elections. It verifies that is unlikely that new elections occur because of the number of blank or spoiled votes, given the requirement extreme numbers of votes that type. It performs the same analysis for statewide elections. It concludes there is not a way to deny a candidate by the vote. It infers there is a contradiction in requiring voter turnout and disregard its vote, if null or blank.