Resident with serious health problems receives neighbor's help to exercise voting right in Mato Grosso do Sul

A 96-year-old woman who uses a wheelchair faced major obstacles to exercise her right to vote this Sunday (25) at a polling station located in Ribeirão Preto, in the state of São Paulo, which lacked adequate accessibility. She was only able to reach the polling place thanks to the assistance of two press professionals covering the situation.

Ms. Rogéria Moreira da Silva declared her determination to vote, stating: 'I insist on it. I am 96 years old, one could not even think about it, but I like it. I am alive.' The elderly woman has mobility difficulties due to health problems; although she underwent orthopedic surgery in July of this year, her recovery was hampered, forcing her to rely on a wheelchair.

According to information from the Electoral Justice, voters with disabilities have the right to request a change of voting location to an accessible section at the electoral registry office until August 20. However, the elderly woman's family missed this established deadline.

Voting in the First Round

During the first round, Ms. Rogéria managed to vote at the Otoniel Mota School, located downtown, with the support of police officers and another voter present at the location. Her daughter, Regiane Aparecida Vieira da Silva, a businesswoman, reported that no Electoral Justice employee offered help, claiming that support should only be familial. It was the intervention of the police and a voter that allowed her to go up and vote in the first round.

During the interval between the two rounds, Regiane tried to contact the Electoral Justice to transfer her mother's registration to a ground-floor section. However, she was unsuccessful, as the attendants informed her that such a procedure would not be possible after the 2nd.

Unexpected Help

This Sunday, Ms. Rogéria insisted on registering her vote again. However, according to her daughter, the poll workers informed her that it was the family's responsibility to ensure her arrival on the first floor. Regiane expressed frustration, mentioning that there were no available police officers, and that calls to the Fire Department and SAMU also could not provide assistance, just like the Electoral Justice, despite her desire to vote, as she considers it a fundamental right.

After an impasse that lasted three hours, Ms. Rogéria finally reached the polling station with the help of reporter Eudis Filho from CBN Ribeirão and cinematographer Jefferson Severiano Neves from EPTV. Sensitized by the situation, Eudis and Jefferson carried Ms. Rogéria in her chair to the voting room, allowing her to exercise her right, even though she was no longer obligated to vote. She emphasized that 'Every vote counts.'

Despite having a fractured leg, the retired woman Cecília Prado, 70 years old, managed to exercise her right to vote at the State School Brasil, located in Limeira, in the state of São Paulo. It is important to note that the educational unit does not have ramps for access to its interior, presenting only stairs.

To manage to go up and down the necessary steps to vote, Cecília Prado needed assistance from other people. She reported the difficulty, stating: 'I broke my leg and it's hard to climb. Luckily I found an acquaintance.'

Generations Meet

In another spot, Marina, who is 96 years old, attended the polling place accompanied by friends and family, including Venicio Gonçalves, 86 years old, José Maria Teixeira, 88 years old, Clementina, 85 years old, and her grandson, Thiago Teixeira, 42 years old.

Observations on Voting Day

Maria Vieira, a 73-year-old voter with emphysema, went to the State School 'Professor Willian Silva' in Limeira (SP) to vote in the second round of the elections this Sunday (2). Despite her health condition, she attended the location. She observed that the movement was very calm, describing the environment as completely empty, which contrasted with the perceived crowding on previous occasions, questioning the reason for this tranquility.

Context of the 2026 Elections

The electoral disputes include Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL) and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT), who seeks re-election. In the first round, held on October 4th, Flávio obtained 47.03% of the votes, surpassing the 45.16% registered by Lula.

For checking polling locations, the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) advises voters to use its website, filling in data such as CPF or voter registration number, date of birth, and mother's name. This will reveal the electoral domicile, specifying zone, section, address, and municipality.

Documents Required to Vote

It is mandatory to present an official photo ID to prove identity and gain access to the voting machine, in addition to signing the ballot and receiving the voting receipt. Although not mandatory, the voter registration card helps the citizen by indicating the electoral section. Accepted documents include RG, social identity card, work card, driver's license (CNH), passport or legal equivalent, and professional category cards recognized by law. Documents may be expired, as long as the voter's identification is possible; birth and marriage certificates are not valid because they do not have a photo.

The voter can also carry a paper with the electoral code, containing their candidates' numbers. The TSE strictly prohibits the use of cell phones, tablets, radio communicators, cameras, or other electronic devices inside the voting booth to record or disclose the choice. However, the device can be used to display the e-Title, which must be given to the poll worker at the time of voting; it is illegal to photograph or film one's own or others' electoral process.

Voting Procedure

The process consists of typing the desired candidate's number into the electronic voting machine and verifying that the name and photo are correct. If there is an error, the 'correct' key allows entering the correct number. Upon pressing 'confirm', the machine emits a confirmation sound, making subsequent alteration impossible. If the voter chooses not to vote for anyone, they can select 'blank' and then 'confirm'; a blank vote is not counted as valid, serving only for statistics. There is also the null vote, which occurs when a number that does not correspond to any candidate or party is entered and confirmed.