EXERCISE OF POLITICAL RIGHTS BY PEOPLE WITH ASD: INVISIBILITY FROM THE ELECTORAL REGISTRATION
Electoral Registry. Inclusive citizenship. Political Rights. Political Invisibility. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by diverse cognitive, sensory, and behavioural traits. This study addresses the exercise of political rights by individuals with ASD and their invisibility within the electoral registry. The research problem lies in examining how the lack of a specific categorization of autistic individuals in the electoral database contributes to their statistical and political invisibility, thereby hindering the development of inclusive public policies within the scope of Electoral Justice. The main objective is to assess whether the political rights of individuals with ASD are effectively guaranteed, taking the electoral registry as the central object of analysis, identifying factors that generate statistical invisibility, and proposing measures to ensure inclusive support during the electoral process. The study is justified on three grounds: (i) social, due to the need to promote equity in the democratic process and ensure visibility and full access to rights; (ii) academic, as this is an emerging field in Brazil requiring an interdisciplinary approach involving Neuroscience, Political Science, Electoral Law, and Sociocultural Studies; and (iii) institutional, given the role of Electoral Justice in fostering inclusive citizenship and accessibility. The methodology combines qualitative and quantitative approaches, with a descriptive scope and the use of bibliographic and documentary procedures. Findings indicate that, during voter registration, individuals with ASD are recorded under the generic category “other types of disability,” which prevents the measurement of their actual number, hinders the design of appropriate electoral policies, and obscures relevant data. As a final product, a technical-educational guide was developed to provide practical instructions for poll workers, supporting inclusive assistance to autistic voters on election day. This material is expected to strengthen democracy and citizenship, while raising awareness among society and institutions about the urgent need for policies that guarantee the full inclusion of individuals with ASD in the democratic process.