Vovó Vota movement encourages Brazilian elderly voter turnout

The Vovó Vota movement is working to increase civic engagement among Brazil's elderly population, specifically targeting those over 70 who have the option to vote voluntarily. In the rural community of Ludovico, Maranhão, Maria Alaídes Alves de Souza, a 71-year-old babaçu coconut breaker and interstate movement leader, actively encourages other elderly workers and grandmothers to exercise their right to vote.

Brazil has approximately 16 million citizens over the age of 70, representing 10.6% of the electorate. While voting has been optional for this demographic since the 1988 Constitution, there has historically been high abstention. Recent data indicates a shift: abstention among voters over 70 dropped from 58.8% in 2022 to 49.1% during the first round of the 2026 elections, according to the Superior Electoral Court (TSE).

The non-partisan campaign aims to further reduce abstention by fostering connections between grandmothers and granddaughters during the election process. Leaders like Souza emphasize that popular participation is essential for securing public policies and addressing issues such as climate change, which directly impacts the livelihoods of coconut breakers in states like Maranhão, Pará, Piauí, and Tocantins.