Politics · Brazil · 1 hr ago
Brazil election highlights older voters’ growing political weight
Brazil’s presidential election put older voters in focus.
People aged 60 and over make up nearly a quarter of the electorate, rising from 32.9 million in 2022 to 37.4 million.
Voters aged 70 and over grew 15% to nearly 17 million, although they are not required to vote.
Videos of older people voting spread online, and Lula credited them with helping his campaign turn around between the first and second rounds.
Lula will begin his new term at 81, while a ministry focused on older people is under discussion.
Social entrepreneur Sérgio Serapião says the election drew attention to a group often overlooked in public life.
He warns that tackling ageism will take sustained work, so older people’s increased visibility does not fade after the election.
Brazil’s presidential election highlighted the growing political weight of older voters, who now make up almost a quarter of the electorate.
The number of voters aged 60 and over rose from 32.9 million in 2022 to 37.4 million in the latest election.
Social entrepreneur Sérgio Serapião said the election drew attention to older people’s civic participation but warned that ageism remains a barrier.
President Lula recognized older voters’ role in his victory speech and is set to take office at 81, becoming Brazil’s oldest president.
A proposed Ministry for Older People is also under discussion.
- Who
- Older Brazilian voters, including people aged 60 and over; President Lula and social entrepreneur Sérgio Serapião are also central to the story.
- What
- The election highlighted older voters’ political weight and renewed debate about ageing and ageism.
- When
- The latest presidential election; the article was published on November 2, 2026.
- Where
- Brazil.
- Why
- Older voters make up a growing share of the electorate, while their civic participation and representation remain limited.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Voters aged 60 and over numbered 32.9 million, and abstention among voters aged 70 and over was around 60%.
The eighth Longevidade Forum & Festival was held in São Paulo, with an estimated 15,000 participants over three days.
Voters aged 60 and over numbered 37.4 million, and Lula recognized older voters’ role in his victory speech.
- Voters aged 60 and over
- 37.4 million
- Share of electorate aged 60 and over
- Almost 25%
- Voters aged 70 and over
- Almost 17 million; more than 10% of the electorate
- Growth in voters aged 70 and over
- 15% since 2022
- Lula’s age on taking office
- 81 years
What people are saying
The vote is an affirmation of the future.
They are not invited to the party, so they do not go.
We have made a leap, but we need to make several more for it to last; otherwise, it will be a chicken’s flight.