The number of Brazilian voters in Paris has doubled compared to the 2018 election.

RFI - "With this significant increase in the number of registered voters, we had to change the polling place. This year, the election will be held at Espace La Rochefoucauld, in the 9th arrondissement of Paris," continues the consul general, stressing the importance of voters downloading the E-title app and also bringing a photo ID.

"Since most voters abroad have not registered their biometrics, it will also be necessary to bring a photo ID. This can be an national identity card, passport (even if expired), driver's license... but voter identification will be required," said the official responsible for voting in Paris, Deputy Consul General Sergio Ricoy Pena, adding that, as a last resort, even a French document may be accepted.

Voters must download the E-title before the 2nd and bring a photo ID.

According to consular authorities, the most important thing is for voters to download the E-title before October 2nd. The app also serves to justify absence on election day, within a period of up to 60 days after each round. "Ideally, download it as soon as possible, because it will not be available on election day," advises Ricoy Pena. "An option for those who cannot download the app is to check the voting section on the TSE website," he adds. 

To access the data, simply search for "name and polling place TSE" or "electoral clearance certificate". The data will be displayed as soon as the voter completes the fields with their full name, date of birth, and mother's name. This search is also valid for voters who have recently transferred their voter registration to Paris or who have requested the document for the first time.

In addition to the new address, which is important to remember – 11 rue Catherine de la Rochefoucauld, 75009, Paris – the consul general draws attention to the hours that must be respected: from 8 am to 17 pm local time. "Only those who are already inside the building, in line for their polling station and in possession of a number, will be able to vote a little after 17 pm," adds Marzano. People who are in line outside at 17 pm will not be able to vote.

Voters come from all over France.

As in previous years, Paris is the only polling place in all of France, which will force many voters to travel hundreds of kilometers and rely on what they call "solidarity accommodation".

This is the case of cook Kele Ransom, who lives in Pau, in the Pyrenees, 792 km from Paris. "These elections are going to be an adventure. I'm going to a neighboring town called Lourdes, and from there I'll take an overnight train to arrive in Paris the next day. When I get to Paris, I'll stay at a friend's house so I don't spend more than I already will on this whole trip. It will be more than 15 hours of travel," she says. 

"For me, these elections are very important, it's a very emotional experience to make this whole trip to vote, because we need to change the situation in the country. Returning to Brazil saddens me, seeing the difficulties people are going through. My vote is not secret: I will make this entire journey with my candidate's support on my back, because I will try, with all my strength, to remove the current president from power," he says. 

Brazilian women organize solidarity lodging.

The Facebook group "Brasileiras de Paris" (Brazilian Women in Paris) is one of those that organizes offers and demands for solidarity accommodation. That's how Isabella Vanini, a French teacher from Brasília who lives in Cahors (in the south), 560 km from the capital, managed to get hers.

"The group organized a special supply and demand scheme for accommodation for the elections. We managed to do this so that all the women in the group can vote at this very important time," she reports. Since January, she had planned her time off for the following weekend and bought the tickets months ago.

"This is the second time I've ever voted in my life, because in Brasília we don't have municipal elections. I need to participate in this democratic moment," adds Isabella, who is 25 years old. 

"A critical moment for Brazilian democracy"

Wedja Martins and her partner Clara Brainer, from Pernambuco, are coming from Orléans (central France), 132 km from the French capital, to vote on October 2nd. They left Brazil in September 2018 "because of the impact of Bolsonaro's policies" on their lives. "We need to vote against violence, intolerance, fascism, and regression so that we can live in peace again in our country," says Wedja. 

Psychologist Luana Meyer, who lives in Bordeaux (southwest), 578 km from Paris, is coming by train. "Voting is very important to me, because even though I no longer live in Brazil, I want to exercise my right as a citizen, especially at this critical moment," she says, adding that she will also be using solidarity accommodation. 

Filmmaker Nico Silva, 24, comes from Marseille (southern France) and will also travel about 800 kilometers to vote. "I'm going to take the train, which is the simplest means of transport. I think many people, like me, are very eager to vote in these elections. It's not so easy to go to Paris; not everyone can afford to vote because it's expensive, you have to buy round-trip tickets, and the prices are even higher on weekends," he says, adding that he will be staying at friends' houses in the French capital. 

First vote in 19 years in France

Patricia Enderlé, a teacher from Rio de Janeiro, lives in Saint-Martin-de-Crau, 611 km from Paris. She is coming by train and will be sharing accommodation with six other people. "It will be rushed, it will cost energy, it will cost money, but it can't be any other way. In the 19 years I've lived in France, this is the first time I've voted here; this time I made sure to transfer my voter registration," she says, adding that "I couldn't fail to contribute to closing this shameful cycle." 

Natasha D., a lawyer from São Paulo, has been in France for three years and will also be voting in Paris for the first time. She comes from Montpellier, 748 km from the capital. "I'll be spending the weekend on the road. The tickets are expensive." very much"But, as I tell myself, it's the price of democracy." She also found lodging in a group of Brazilian women on Facebook. "It's an ideological scheme that suits me well because, honestly, I wouldn't want to be hosted by someone who votes for another candidate either," she explains.

Despite the high price of weekend flights, chef Ana Moura, who lives in Lannion (northwest) in Brittany, is also willing to make the effort. Born in Cuiabá and a descendant of the Bororo indigenous people in Mato Grosso, Ana said she will wear a headdress to honor her ancestors.

"I'm going by bus; it was the cheapest way I found. I'll be staying at the house of a French friend who fights for the same causes as me. He offered me his apartment for free for the weekend, and I'll be going with two other people. Voting is very important to me because it's the only way to defend my country and my people. And this time we need to reclaim our flag," says Ana, who lives 552 km from Paris and has voted in every election since arriving in France in 2008. 

There are 29 ballot boxes and 58 polling stations in Paris.

The electronic voting machines have already arrived in the French capital, sent from Brasília via diplomatic pouch, consular authorities said. "There are 29 machines already." inseminated"That is, they contain the names of all voters eligible to vote on them," explains Fábio Marzano.

Sérgio Ricoy adds that each ballot box will serve voters from two polling stations. "Since there are fewer voters abroad, we use the same ballot box for two different polling stations. Each ballot box can receive 800 votes, that is, 400 from each polling station," he emphasizes, reminding voters of the importance of knowing their polling station before October 2nd. Each polling station will also have a signature book with the complete list of eligible voters. 

"When voters living in France arrive at Espace La Rochefoucauld, they will see a panel indicating the room numbers for each section, just like in Brazil. This way they can go directly to the corresponding rooms," Ricoy adds. 

Consul General Fábio Marzano says that voter abstention in France usually hovers around 50%, but it should be slightly lower in this election. "In 2018, only 45% of registered voters participated, but this year we expect a higher turnout," he states. 

Marzano and Ricoy remind voters that voting is mandatory in Brazil. To justify their absence on October 2nd or 30th, the scheduled date for the second round, voters can do so through the E-Título app within 60 days after each round. 

For voters who fear clashes between opposing groups, the consul general explains how the security plan will work. "What happens outside the polling place is the responsibility of the French police, who have already been notified that we will be holding elections there. What happens inside is our responsibility: we will have private security agents and our consulate staff," says Marzano, who believes in the good sense of Brazilian voters in France. 

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