The 2019-2020 electoral process in the face of the contingency by COVID 19: the experience of Brazil and the implementation of electronic ballot boxes in Hidalgo, Mexico

Abstract

The first Covid-19 case in Mexico in 2020 put the electoral process in the state of Hidalgo at risk. It was even temporarily suspended on April 1, 2020. Faced with a pandemic scenario in which there was not still a vaccine and people interaction could spread the virus, the electronic ballot boxes seemed to be a good option against this situation. Mainly for the installation time of the ballot boxes and the citizen vote were optimized. This article intends to be a contribution to electoral studies, the main objective of this research is to analyze how the implementation of electronic ballot boxes has occurred in the 2019-2020 electoral process in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico. A comparative documentary review methodology was used considering the case of Brazil as a model for the implementation of this system in Mexico. Moreover, interviews have been applied considering two different perspectives from actors involved in this process, an electoral authority and a citizen. 
In the case of Brazil there was an implementation from the federal level seeking to improve the transparency of the elections. While in Mexico, it was done from local level and with the installation of a minimum number of ballot boxes. In addition, its implementation does not arise as a response to the pandemic scenario.