Youth and local political power: The perception and the discourse of young people about the Brazilian municipal elections of 2016

Abstract

The article aims to analyze the political behavior of young voters before the municipal election of 2016 in Brazil, based on a questionnaire applied with 1,221 subjects, after the second round of elections. The questionnaire includes aspects such as: (a) what motivates / discourages young people to vote for mayor and councilor; (b) what are the qualities of the candidates who are most valued by them; (c) why they vote blank or void; (d) their behavior during the election campaign; (e) the topics of greatest interest during the electoral debate; (f) the sources of political information most frequently used by informants. Among the results, a paradox stands out: young people express dissatisfaction with politics and therefore vote blank or blank as a protest, but the data reveal motivations that are in the traditional sphere, such as voting in candidates from families who already in local politics.